Zucchini is a widely used summer squash that is green in color, with a long and oblong shape. It's popular in different parts of the world, like Italy and the United States. It's also well-known in France where they are referred to as courgettes, and often called vegetable marrow in the United Kingdom.
An interesting bit of trivia about zucchini is that it is actually a fruit, and it grows on a female zucchini flower as its swollen ovary. It belongs to the family of cucumber and melon. Zucchini adds flavor and is easy to include in various recipes, whether in breads, side dishes, desserts or casseroles which is why it's a popular choice for many chefs.
These summer squash will take up a very small amount of space in your garden and if picked routinely, will produce in abundance right up to the first frost. Those new to growing this fruit will find that if you prepare the right soil and light combination this plant is quite easy to care for.
There are quite a few varieties of zucchini to choose from. Most variants will thrive well between the months of May until late August, when there is abundant sunshine. You could go for the "globe" variety, which makes for a great meal presentation. You could also opt for the "golden zucchini" kind, which is very attractive-looking.
Among some other varieties of zucchini that you can purchase seeds for are: Sweet Gourmet - a light green fruit that is an abundant producer. Gadzukes - a variety that fares well in a small garden and requires little space. Black Beauty - a compact, dark-fruited zucchini.
In planting zucchini seeds, the first step is to prepare the soil. Make sure that it is loose, rich with fertilizer and drained well with a pH level of around 6.0. Temperature should also be taken into consideration. If you live in a cold area with a lot of frost, it is advisable to start the seeds in a room where the temperature is at least sixty degrees Fahrenheit.
Once you set the soil and environmental conditions, you can now start planting your seeds. Sow your zucchini seeds around 4 inches apart, and place them where they will be exposed to full sunlight. They'll begin sprouting within 10 to 12 days, but wait until the sprouts are 3 inches tall before transplanting them.
Zucchini plants love warm soil so if you live in a cool climate cover your garden area with black plastic bags BEFORE you sow the seeds. In a few days the soil should have warmed up and trapped the warm air near the ground. You can also add some dark-colored mulch to help maintain the warmth similar to the way the black bags do.
Monitor the plants constantly as soon as you see them start to bloom. The average harvest time for the zucchini plant is about seven to nine weeks, and the young zucchini fruits are tastier and tender than a more mature fruit.
Routine picking of the young plants helps them grow in abundance for the whole season, so plan to incorporate it into many of your meals. There are many recipes and uses for zucchini, and the larger produce can be used as an ingredient in breads or even as a decorative container.
An interesting bit of trivia about zucchini is that it is actually a fruit, and it grows on a female zucchini flower as its swollen ovary. It belongs to the family of cucumber and melon. Zucchini adds flavor and is easy to include in various recipes, whether in breads, side dishes, desserts or casseroles which is why it's a popular choice for many chefs.
These summer squash will take up a very small amount of space in your garden and if picked routinely, will produce in abundance right up to the first frost. Those new to growing this fruit will find that if you prepare the right soil and light combination this plant is quite easy to care for.
There are quite a few varieties of zucchini to choose from. Most variants will thrive well between the months of May until late August, when there is abundant sunshine. You could go for the "globe" variety, which makes for a great meal presentation. You could also opt for the "golden zucchini" kind, which is very attractive-looking.
Among some other varieties of zucchini that you can purchase seeds for are: Sweet Gourmet - a light green fruit that is an abundant producer. Gadzukes - a variety that fares well in a small garden and requires little space. Black Beauty - a compact, dark-fruited zucchini.
In planting zucchini seeds, the first step is to prepare the soil. Make sure that it is loose, rich with fertilizer and drained well with a pH level of around 6.0. Temperature should also be taken into consideration. If you live in a cold area with a lot of frost, it is advisable to start the seeds in a room where the temperature is at least sixty degrees Fahrenheit.
Once you set the soil and environmental conditions, you can now start planting your seeds. Sow your zucchini seeds around 4 inches apart, and place them where they will be exposed to full sunlight. They'll begin sprouting within 10 to 12 days, but wait until the sprouts are 3 inches tall before transplanting them.
Zucchini plants love warm soil so if you live in a cool climate cover your garden area with black plastic bags BEFORE you sow the seeds. In a few days the soil should have warmed up and trapped the warm air near the ground. You can also add some dark-colored mulch to help maintain the warmth similar to the way the black bags do.
Monitor the plants constantly as soon as you see them start to bloom. The average harvest time for the zucchini plant is about seven to nine weeks, and the young zucchini fruits are tastier and tender than a more mature fruit.
Routine picking of the young plants helps them grow in abundance for the whole season, so plan to incorporate it into many of your meals. There are many recipes and uses for zucchini, and the larger produce can be used as an ingredient in breads or even as a decorative container.
About the Author:
Susan Morgan loves writing on vegetable gardening and home gardens. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to read another on how to grow zucchini.
No comments:
Post a Comment