Zucchini Planting Days: A Lunar Calendar of Favorable Planting Days for 2024

Growing zucchini is a simple task. Even a novice gardener can handle this undemanding crop. However, even the most inveterate skeptic will agree that choosing the most favorable days for planting, based on the position of our planet's satellite, is essential. But simply planting zucchini seedlings in 2024 according to the lunar calendar isn't enough; the region where the garden plot is located also needs to be considered.

When to sow zucchini seedlings

The crop is grown using seedlings or direct sowing. The first option involves creating a microclimate at home that will promote the growth and development of the seedlings. Direct sowing into beds is used in warm climates and in early spring, when seeds sown in April have time to germinate and form a strong plant before the onset of summer drought. The exact timing of planting zucchini seedlings depends on the climate of the growing region. The influence of the lunar cycle on the development of the plant is also taken into account.

Favorable days according to the lunar calendar

Gardeners across the country have a general idea of ​​when to sow zucchini in the ground or in seedling trays. However, in addition to the month, experienced vegetable growers also rely on the moon's position in the sky. Planting should definitely be avoided when the moon is completing or beginning its cycle. Full and new moons are unfavorable times for sowing seeds. The optimal time for sowing is during the waxing crescent moon.

Table: Favorable numbers for 2023

Sowing dates depending on the cultivation region

The conditions for planting seeds in the soil are the same for all regions, but the optimal time varies. Furthermore, the dates may shift slightly depending on the current climate. Approximate sowing times:

1. In central Russia, Moscow, and the Moscow region, in 2023, zucchini seeds can be planted in unprotected soil in the second half of spring.
2. In the Urals and Siberia, the optimal sowing time is early summer. If the spring has been prolonged or the local climate is colder, it's best to plant zucchini in July.

Sowing in boxes

Growing zucchini from seedlings is preferable to growing them in the ground. Young plants, growing in artificially created conditions, are less susceptible to pathogens and pests, as well as weather conditions. Furthermore, earlier sowing allows zucchini to begin bearing fruit sooner. This is especially important in regions with cold climates.

The time it takes to grow zucchini seedlings in a box directly depends on the variety. If the seeds were purchased at a garden center, the packet will definitely include information about the approximate best time to plant the seeds in the soil. To avoid planting the seedlings prematurely, start the countdown from the statistical date of the last frost in the area.

In the greenhouse

If you have a greenhouse in your garden, you can sow zucchini seedlings for open ground there. However, to ensure high-quality planting material, you should follow a number of rules for plant coexistence. Additionally, consider:

1. The expected planting date. Seedlings are usually prepared for planting in May or June. This is the period when air temperatures stabilize and ground frosts are not expected.
2. Time of emergence of seedlings from the time of sowing (it is influenced by the variety of zucchini).
3. Maximum age of seedlings.
4. The adaptation period when the seedlings get used to new conditions.

Growing nuances

Growing vegetables from seedlings, while having obvious advantages, also has its drawbacks: high labor intensity and the difficulty of transplanting. This crop is difficult to transplant to a new location, and it doesn't take well to establish itself after transplantation. Before forcing seedlings, it's important to plan the growing process so that the plant can be planted with the root ball intact.

Forcing seedlings

Regardless of where and how seedlings are planned for cultivation, it's important to properly treat the seeds and the soil before planting. Soaking the seeds in hot water at around 50°C helps combat fungal infections. Agricultural pharmaceuticals also offer a range of products to improve the quality of planting material. Seeds pre-treated with protective compounds can also be used.

Preparing containers and preparing soil

Zucchini is a very demanding crop when it comes to soil nutrients. Micronutrients are essential throughout the growing season, especially during seedling establishment. If you're growing zucchini for a single family, 4-5 plants are sufficient. For a small number of seedlings, soil can be purchased at a garden center. To make your own substrate, mix peat, humus, and fertile soil in a 5:3:2 ratio. You can also add some well-rotted sawdust from any wood species and mineral fertilizers in the correct proportions.

Since zucchini roots are sensitive to mechanical stress, seedlings are grown from seeds in individual containers. The most convenient are pots made of peat or compressed rice flour, which allow the plants to be transplanted directly into the soil. These pots then decompose completely under the influence of soil moisture.

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Sowing seeds

Gardeners use various techniques to speed up seed germination when sowing them in pots. They can be used in combination or in a single method. Seeds can be germinated in several ways:

1. Soaking. Before planting zucchini seeds, soak them in water at 25°C for 24 hours.
2. Germination in a damp cloth. This procedure is carried out until sprouts 5-6 mm long appear.
3. Soaking in a nutrient solution. The soaking time depends on the composition of the mixture used.

In addition to germination, hardening of seeds is also used. This increases the plant's resistance to temperature fluctuations. However, this characteristic is gradually lost during forcing of planting material, so seedlings ready for planting require additional hardening. The plant must be placed outdoors to allow the young shoots to acclimate. Seed sowing instructions:

1. The seeds are placed at a depth of 30-40 mm.
2. If the seeds haven't sprouted yet, place 2 or 3 in one pot. Once the sprouts appear, remove the weak ones, leaving the strongest.
3. The soil is moistened immediately after sowing, then as it dries.
4. Place the pots in well-lit areas.

Caring for seedlings

Once the first shoots emerge, care consists of periodic watering, loosening the soil, and fertilizing. When the plant reaches the 4-5 leaf stage, lightly mound the stem. This promotes the formation of additional lateral roots. Water the seedlings regularly, avoiding over-watering or over-saturation. Instability leads to longitudinal cracking of young shoots, which, in turn, can lead to root and stem rot. The temperature of the irrigation water should be 24°C. It should be settled and free of chlorine and heavy metals.

Transplantation into open ground

Growing vegetables from seedlings is fraught with difficulties. The crop does not transplant well and is sensitive to air and soil temperatures. If a novice gardener is unsure, a video guide on how to plant zucchini from seedlings is available. Visual examples make it easier to grasp the process and avoid mistakes. A week before planting, prepare the beds and acclimate the seedlings to outdoor conditions. The plants are taken outdoors for the day and then brought back indoors in the evening.

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Preparing the beds

When choosing a planting site, consider crop rotation rules. Good predecessors for zucchini include cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, or parsley. The bed is best located on the south side of the plot or slope. Planting should be done in loamy soils and soils with a neutral pH. When preparing the beds, follow these guidelines:

1. The plot is prepared in advance (this can be done in the fall). The bed is dug over and fertilized.
2. If the soil is highly acidic, lime is added. If it is highly alkaline, high-moor peat is added.
3. If the groundwater level is close, drainage is made around the garden bed.
4. Insect larvae are destroyed in the soil – they can attract moles, which will damage the root system of plants.
5. The beds are made 0.7 m wide. The length is limited by the size of the plot and the number of bushes being planted.

Landing plan

Hardened seedlings are planted in the ground after warm weather has set in, there's no threat of frost, and the soil has warmed to 12-13°C. The planting pattern depends on the variety and plant structure. Generally, space the plants 60-70 cm apart. The row spacing should be at least 1.2 m. This distance is sufficient for both spreading bushes and creeping shoots.

How to care for zucchini in the garden

Grown zucchini don't suffer greatly from a lack of regular watering. However, it's still important not to let the soil dry out. On hot days, it's best to moisten the soil every evening with sun-warmed water. Pour about 2 liters under each root. Once broad leaves have formed, water less frequently but thoroughly. When moistening the soil, ensure that the water reaches the roots and not the green foliage. After watering, be sure to loosen the soil. This will improve oxygen supply to the roots and prevent moisture evaporation.

Plants are hilled up when the fifth leaf appears on the stem. Another important soil treatment is weed removal, which robs crops of nutrients and moisture. To slow down the growth of weeds, the beds are mulched. Sawdust and peat are used as mulch. This procedure also extends the interval between waterings, preventing excessive moisture evaporation.

About six months after planting, the zucchini are fed with organic fertilizer. You can water the seedlings with an infusion of mown grass and weeds. After another two weeks, add slurry to the roots. When the first ovaries appear, fertilize the plants with compost infusion or a highly diluted cow manure. For every 10 liters of liquid, you can add a glass of wood ash and 10 grams of double superphosphate.

If the seedlings have taken root well and the plants have become a little stronger, the first preventative treatment against diseases and pests is carried out. To protect zucchini plants from fungal infections, spray them with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. If insects are highly likely, Karbofos can help eliminate them. For gardeners who are averse to the use of chemicals, natural products are suitable. Furthermore, their use is the only correct solution during the fruiting period. Pesticide treatments can lead to the accumulation of pesticide residues in vegetables, which can lead to poisoning of plant products.

Ways to increase crop yields

Zucchini isn't a picky plant, but it does require adequate nutrients in the soil. Micronutrients promote rapid growth, increased ovary production, and fruit development. A rich soil composition is the key to abundant fruiting. Poor soil should be regularly enriched, and crop rotation is important—planting after a crop that received less essential nutrients during the growing season.

Fertilizing isn't the only way to increase productivity. To achieve a more abundant harvest, follow a few simple rules:

1. Provide the plant with space. Cucurbits have many spreading, vigorous leaves that shade the main stem and ovary.
2. Regularly loosen the soil around the roots. The formation of a soil crust after irrigation negatively impacts the development of vegetable crops.
3. Avoid watering the soil with water that is too cold. Low temperatures can lead to root rot. Allow the water to warm to 20°C before applying water.

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To enjoy juicy vegetables cooked in a frying pan or on the grill in early summer, you need to first grow zucchini seedlings and then transplant them into the ground. By following the recommendations for sowing seeds on favorable days and caring for the plants, you can reap a bountiful and high-quality pumpkin harvest.