2 options for planting zucchini in open ground

Zucchini is a crop that shouldn't be difficult to grow, but questions about how to plant zucchini and the best methods can still arise, especially for those new to gardening. Even experienced gardeners would love to learn something new about planting zucchini outdoors, so they can put their newfound knowledge to use.

How to plant zucchini - methods

So, it all starts with planting. Zucchini is a lazy crop. Why? This vegetable can be planted without digging, in uncultivated soil. Zucchini will forgive you. The main thing is to prepare the planting hole well; that will be enough.

Option one: how to plant zucchini seedlings in open ground

Preparing the planting site begins with digging a spacious hole. Even for very small zucchini seedlings, the hole needs to be large enough. This is done so that it can be thoroughly filled with fertile soil and humus. Zucchini, like all cucurbits, love to eat.

Before adding compost, the bottom of the planting hole should be thoroughly loosened to the depths. This will help the plant roots penetrate freely into the lower soil layers. The compost should be well-rotted, meaning at least three years have passed since the manure began to decompose.

Add a bucket of compost to each hole. This amount will allow you to avoid fertilizing the plant throughout the season. Then, add a layer of garden soil or compost soil to the composted compost so that the zucchini's growing roots don't immediately fall into the compost.

A small depression is made in the hole for planting the seedlings. Zucchini seedlings must be planted very carefully, as the root system of all cucurbits is very fragile. Therefore, the seedlings should be no more than 20–25 days old.

The next step is a very generous watering: 10 liters of water should be poured onto each plant in several doses. Then, cover the watered area with dry soil or compost.

If the weather is hot when planting seedlings, the entire root zone should be covered with grass, weeds, or hay. Otherwise, the roots, being close to the soil surface, may burn. Additionally, the seedlings can be covered with open, bottomless 6-liter plastic jars, pre-sealed with white tape. This will help the small seedlings adapt more quickly, survive subsequent frosts, and prevent them from breaking in windy weather.

Option two: how to plant zucchini in open ground using seeds

The planting hole should be the same size and filling as when planting seedlings. A crucial step is placing the seed in the hole. Of course, a good, healthy seed will emerge from the soil anyway, but there's a secret that speeds up this process. Not all gardeners know that the seed should be placed on its edge in the soil, allowing the folded cotyledon leaves to open more easily and release their covering scales. Furthermore, vertically positioned cotyledon leaves make it easier for the seed to "cut" through the soil layers to reach the surface. The planting depth should be 2-3 cm. Finally, thoroughly water the seedbed.

That's it. Now you know two options for planting zucchini outdoors. Wishing you a bountiful harvest!

By the way, there is another option for growing vegetables. See how you can grow zucchini in bags.