Zucchini Plant Care

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A member of the cucumber family, zucchini is a prolific summer squash with a balmy flavor. Zucchini squash grows on 2 1/2-foot, bushy plants that take less distance than summer squash varieties that grow on rambling vines. The plants produce large, yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers that are pollinated by insects. Fruit appears soon after the flowers. The plants are then fecund that just two will more than fill the needs of a family of four.

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Zucchini needs a location with full sunday and fat, damp but well-drained soil. If the land is flaxen or drains besides promptly, work a layer of compost into the land before planting to improve the moisture retentiveness. Zucchini foliation becomes shattered and tear when exposed to potent winds, so provide a protected localization in long-winded areas. The site should have a nearby reservoir of water to make it easier to urine the plant.

sustenance

zucchini plants need regular water to keep the dirt evenly damp. The plants beg for water by wilting in the hot sun, even when the dirt is damp. To make indisputable the plants actually need water, wait until the sunlight goes down to see if the leaf revives. If the leaves do n’t recover, water lento and deeply to saturate the ancestor zone. Use straw or hay mulch around the plants to prevent water vaporization. Feed the plants when the leaves turn pale or the stems appear week. Use a shovel of compost for each implant or a low-nitrogen commercial fertilizer. Fertilizers high in nitrogen reduce the yield. Harvesting regularly keeps the plants producing.

likely Problems

Blossom end decompose results in dark-colored soft spots at the flower end of the fruit. Caused by a lack of calcium, the stipulate is easily corrected by adding a source of calcium, such as crush oyster shells, to the soil. Cucumber beetles and squash bugs are the two most destructive pests found on zucchini plants. Prevent squash bugs by eliminating weeds in and around the garden and covering the plants with row covers immediately after planting. Covers must be removed when the plants begin to flower to allow pollination. Control cucumber beetles with insecticides labeled for use against the insect. Read the insecticide pronounce and cautiously follow the instructions for manipulation, storage and disposal. zucchini plants are susceptible to mildew if planted besides closely or if they do n’t get enough sun.

Harvesting

You can harvest zucchini ampere soon as you see the fruit. Small yield with flowers still attached are good when eaten fresh. fruit that is 6 to 8 inches long works well for cooking. The fruit hides under the leaves, so check each implant carefully every day or two once the plants begin to produce. It ‘s not unusual to find a foot-long zucchini that was overlooked for days. Cut the fruit from the plant with a abrupt tongue to avoid injuring the vine. Zucchini keeps for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. References

• Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening; Pauline Pears
• Burpee Complete Gardener; Allan Armitage
• Rodale’s Vegetable Garden Problem Solver; Fern Marshall Bradley

Resources

• Harvest to Table: Zucchini Growing Quick Tips

Writer Bio Jackie Carroll has been a mercenary writer since 1995. Her home-and-garden and nature articles have appeared in “ Birds & Blooms ” and “ Alamance today. ” She holds a knight bachelor of Science in checkup engineering from the University of North Carolina.