If you have an orchard and are thinking of introducing a productive but easy to maintain vegetable, one of the most recommended is zucchini. This plant is easy to grow and bears lots of fruit over a long period of time. Obviously, You must first know how to plant zucchini.
In this article we will explain how to do it step by step, both in the ground and in pots. Additionally, we will discuss how long these vegetables take to bear fruit.
How is zucchini planted?
Before explaining how to plant zucchini, we must first know when is the best time for it. It is important to note that the seeds of these vegetables They need warm temperatures and lots of light to grow well. because they do not tolerate frost well at all. Knowing this, we can already deduce that it is better to plant them in the spring if the climate is right. In the northern hemisphere, the most recommended months are April and May.
It must be said that in colder climates, the harvest must be delayed. In the case of warmer climates, it is advisable to advance the cultivation a little, because the sun of extremely hot summers can be very damaging for young zucchini. We also have the option of planting courgettes in pots or in nurseries. and grow them first at home to transplant them later. In this case, advancing sowing by a few weeks is perfectly feasible.
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When to plant zucchini?
Considering the sowing season, Let’s see how to plant zucchini step by step:
- Prepare the ground: First we need to choose an area with enough sun to plant the zucchini. Once the site has been chosen, we must provide the soil with a large amount of compost or worm humus. For this, the earth must be well removed and made at least two weeks before planting the vegetables.
- Introduce the seedlings: Then you have to dig a small hole about six inches. The bottom will need to be filled again with organic matter or humus. Nutrient supply is of utmost importance when growing zucchini. Keep in mind that we must respect a distance of one meter between each plant, since they tend to grow a lot. Regarding the depth of the vegetable, it must be buried up to the height of its first two leaves. The objective is for it to establish itself firmly and thus be able to strengthen itself. For this we can crush the earth with our own hands. In this way we will eliminate any air pockets that may have formed.
- Water: After introducing the seedlings into the ground, it is time to water generously. When caring for zucchini, it is necessary to water them often. It is best to do this around the vegetable, without wetting the stem. Doing this regularly and adding organic fertilizer, such as liquid worm smoke, will help the plant appreciate it greatly.
- Mulching the crop (optional): While it is true that it is not necessary to mulch the crop, it is highly recommended as it greatly strengthens it. Thanks to this, we will ensure that the earth maintains optimum humidity and temperature for zucchini.
How to plant zucchini in pots
In case you want to plant the zucchini in a pot or nursery first to transplant it later, you can prepare seeds from late winter to early spring. Here are the steps to follow:
- Choose the seedbed: We can use seedlings sold in garden stores or take any small container, as long as it is waterproof and we make drainage holes. A good example would be yogurt containers.
- Prepare the seedbed: Once we have the seedbed, it’s time to prepare it properly so the zucchini seeds can grow. For this we need to fill it with a universal seedbed mix. Generally, these mixtures are made with equal parts of coco, worm castings and peat. Also, it is advisable to add vermiculite and perlite.
- Introduce the seeds: It is best to add the seeds in threes. This way we ensure that at least one sprout for each group we have planted. They must be buried at a depth that is twice their size and then watered abundantly.
- Locate the nurseries: When the seeds are sown, it’s time to place the seedbed in a warm place with plenty of but soft light. After a week, they should already sprout.
- Select the plants and transplant: After growing a little more, we have to select the strongest specimen from each group. When they measure between ten and fifteen centimeters, they can be transplanted to their final location, which can be either a garden or a large pot.
How long does it take for zucchini to fruit?
Now that we know how to plant zucchini, let’s see how long we have to wait before we can harvest the first fruits. Fortunately, this vegetable grows quickly. In just six weeks we will be able to make the first harvest of this plant, as long as we take good care of it. And that’s not all, zucchini plants produce fruit all summer and even much of the fall if the weather is warm enough. But how do we know if we can already reap the benefits? There is a very simple trick: if you press the nail gently, you will know if it is ready and ripe if it goes in easily. If it costs a little, better wait a few more days.
Regarding the quantities, it should be noted that zucchini are generally very healthy and productive plants. For this reason, we must be careful when planting them and not overdo it so as not to accumulate a large number of fruits that we will not be able to consume. If everything goes well during cultivation, each zucchini plant can give us about six fruits. That’s more than enough for a family of four. In the event that the harvest is too abundant, the best thing to do is to store the fruits in a well-ventilated and cool place with temperatures between ten and twenty degrees. This way they will be better preserved.
As you can see, courgettes are easy to grow and very productive plants. So do not hesitate and introduce them into your garden, you will surely not regret it.