In preparation for the start of the summer cottage season, it is necessary not only to check the inventory, replenish stocks of fertilizers, seeds and planting materials, but also to determine the timing of sowing seeds for seedlings. Knowing when it is better to plant cucumbers and zucchini for seedlings, it is easy to prepare strong seedlings in time for transplanting into the ground.

Growing seedlings of cucumbers in the open field

First of all, you need to choose the right soil and prepare it for sowing. The earth needs to be moistened and loosened. Substrates with a high peat content should be abandoned - too high fat content adversely affects the planting of not only cucumbers, but also zucchini.

At home, seedlings are often grown from seeds. It is necessary to carry out preliminary processing: immerse them in a warm 3% sodium chloride solution to identify empty ones - they float up, and corpulent ones - settle. Next, suitable seeds are washed under running water and kept for 30 minutes in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate, washed again. Then - germination in a piece of damp cloth at a temperature of +25 for 2-3 days. When small sprouts of a white shade have appeared, the seedlings are sown.

Growing cucumbers

Planting of cucumbers and zucchini for seedlings in open ground is carried out 25-28 days after the first shoots have appeared, as a rule, in early June.

Note! The time period may fluctuate, because the soil should warm up well (at least +15).

Before planting on the beds, hardening is carried out: in about 10 days they are left for a short time in the open air under the sun's rays, gradually increasing the time.

Before planting, the soil must be loosened, fertilizer is applied in the fall. If this has not been done, top dressing is applied to each well just before planting.

For planting, you should choose cloudy days or the afternoon, between 17 and 20 hours. The holes should be made in a checkerboard pattern; only 4 plants should be planted per square meter. Water the pits with water, apply fertilizer (if not done earlier), sprinkle with a small amount of soil. Then carefully place the seedling there, preventing damage to the rhizomes. Then fill the hole with a sufficient amount of earth, compact, water all the plants one by one with warm water.

After the water is completely absorbed, mulching is carried out using straw.

Important! It is necessary to abandon planting cucumbers in the beds where squash, zucchini, pumpkin, zucchini or beets used to grow.

Growing zucchini in the open field

Squash should be planted in warm, sunny locations. With proper care, the plants will grow rapidly, producing a large number of female fruits.

The seedling method makes it possible to get early harvests. You can grow seedlings not only in greenhouse conditions, but also in an apartment. Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out on April 15-25 or in the first decade of May. After 30 days - transplant to open ground.

Important! It is recommended to cover the beds with foil until warm weather sets in.

If there is no need to get early fruits, seeds can be sown directly in open soil. The optimal dates are May 1-June 10. The garden bed must also be prepared in advance.

Growing marrow seedlings outdoors

In each hole, 2 seeds are placed, the approximate distance is about 5 cm. When two seeds germinate, one of them is removed.To protect them from the cold, the plants are covered with a film, which should be removed only in mid-June.

Water the plants regularly, only at the root, avoiding water getting on the foliage.

Loosening and hilling are not carried out to prevent damage to the root system at a high location.

Neighborhood of cucumbers and zucchini

Is it possible to plant cucumbers and zucchini nearby

Both vegetable crops require approximately the same growing conditions, which leads to difficulties. Due to the same inflorescences and ovaries, the pollination process becomes especially problematic. Placing crops too close will result in improper pollination. Female flowers receive too much pollen, which negatively affects the appearance of ovaries. The result is less harvest.

Note! The most successful neighbors for zucchini and cucumbers are carrots, garlic, onions, beets. They have different inflorescences and ovaries, so the plants can grow fully.

But there are other reasons why the neighborhood is undesirable:

  • A sharp depletion of the soil due to the use of the same nutrients for growth and development.
  • The tendrils produced by zucchini can drown out the growth of the cucumber.
  • Zucchini have strong roots, they are intertwined with cucumbers, preventing them from fully developing.

Favorable days for planting in May

Zucchini for seedlings: when to plant

When to plant cucumbers and zucchini largely depends on the growing region: the soil should warm up to at least +15. But a number of summer residents argue that it is necessary to proceed not only from temperature indicators, but also to be interested in the data of the sowing (lunar calendar).

Favorable days in May for planting cucumbers

According to the lunar calendar, a favorable period for planting marrow and cucumber seedlings is the period from May 19 to May 23. In this period of time, there is a growing moon and suitable signs of the zodiac.

But if none of the days is right, you need to know that the growing moon is the main factor; it is not necessary to take into account the passage through the zodiac. It turns out that landings are permissible from the 17th to the 27th.

Growing at other times of the year

Zucchini and cucumbers can be grown not only during the summer season.

Council.Considering that late varieties can be stored for several months, it is best to plan planting in the second half of winter-spring. During this period, the human body requires vitamin support, many really want vegetables.

Seedlings are grown in early March to get the first fruits in April. Planting of plants is carried out only in greenhouse conditions. It is necessary to closely monitor the temperature, constantly maintaining it during the day up to +23, and at night - at least + 14 °. The soil must also be constantly warm (at least +20).

Before sowing, the soil must be fertilized.

Important! Experienced summer residents are advised to feed the land in the fall, long before it is time to plant seedlings. Mineral additives are added immediately before planting in the wells.

In the active growth phase, there is no need for additional fertilizers. If there is a significant increase in the number of leaves, they are carefully cut to ensure full access of light to flowers or ripening fruits.