Pumpkin and squash are close relatives and belong to the Pumpkin family. Both of these crops are unpretentious in care and respond favorably to the presence of moisture and heat. But in order to obtain a rich harvest, it is necessary to study some of the features of their agricultural technology, as well as decide when to plant pumpkin and zucchini with seeds in open ground and whether it is possible to grow them in seedlings.

Features of planting pumpkins and zucchini in the Moscow region

For the successful cultivation of these crops, you should choose a spacious, illuminated place, protected from drafts. Therefore, the ideal option would be to have a fence on one side of the garden bed.

Planting in the Moscow region should be carried out when the air temperature is confidently established at a level not lower than 15-18 degrees, otherwise the seeds will crumble in the ground. Therefore, to accelerate the germination of plants and in order to obtain an early harvest, you can use warm beds specially prepared in the fall or sow on a heap of rotted manure, pouring a thick layer of earth on top.

Correct planting of zucchini seeds in the ground

The optimal predecessors for squash and pumpkin are:

  • potatoes;
  • legumes;
  • carrot;
  • beet;
  • berry crops;
  • garlic, onions;
  • spices, herbs.

For re-planting of pumpkin seeds in this area, it is necessary to allow the soil to recover within 3 years.

Important! Pumpkins and zucchini should not be planted together, as they are capable of over-pollination, which will lead to the loss of the taste of the entire crop.

Basic sowing rules

When to plant pumpkin outdoors

Prior to planting, the seeds must be sorted. To do this, prepare a salt solution at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. for 250 ml of water at room temperature. Immerse the planting material in it for 2-3 minutes. Seeds that have burst into flames can be completely drained, since they are unsuitable for planting, and use only those that have sunk to the bottom.

Important! In order to reduce barrenness, 2 months before sowing, it is necessary to wrap pumpkin and zucchini seeds in natural material and place them near the battery.

To strengthen the immunity of young seedlings, it is recommended to soak the planting material in a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour immediately before sowing, and then rinse with warm water.

All pumpkin crops love to grow on fertile soil with a neutral acidity level, so if necessary, liming should be carried out in the fall. And also add the missing components to the garden soil for each square meter:

  • for peat bogs - add 1 bucket of loamy soil and 5 kg of humus;
  • for sandy soil - add 10 liters of turf, peat and humus;
  • for clay and loamy soils - add 3 kg of peat, humus and sand.

To grow a generous harvest of harvesters and zucchini, it is necessary to prepare the garden bed in 2 weeks: dig it to the depth of a shovel and remove all the roots of the weeds.

When growing these pumpkin crops, a specific planting scheme should be followed:

  • for zucchini - 50 cm between plants and 70 cm between rows;
  • for pumpkins - 1 m distance between seedlings in rows and 1.5 m between them.

Planting timing and depth

When to plant radish in open ground with seeds

Planting pumpkins and zucchini in open ground is carried out after the earth warms up to 14-16 degrees, which in the conditions of the Moscow region falls on the end of May - beginning of June.To do this, it is necessary to make holes 5 cm deep for zucchini and 8-10 cm for pumpkin. Add a little humus and a pinch of wood ash to the bottom, and then mix thoroughly with the ground and pour plenty of hot water. Put three seeds in each hole and sprinkle with soil.

Important! After planting pumpkins and zucchini in open ground, it is necessary to cover the garden bed with agrofibre or film, which will protect the crops from late frosts. You can remove the shelter when warm weather is fully established.

After the seedlings grow and get stronger, you need to leave one strong sprout in the hole, and remove the rest. In the future, it is recommended to mulch the soil at the base of the plants, which will improve the air permeability of the soil and prevent excessive evaporation of moisture.

All further care for zucchini is reduced to timely watering in a particularly dry period of summer at the rate of 1-2 buckets for each bush. The pumpkin, in addition, needs the formation of lashes after planting, which helps to get large ripe fruits. To do this, it is necessary to leave no more than 3-4 ovaries on each plant, and remove all stepsons. Over the last fruit left, count four leaves and cut off the lash, digging the end in several places. This will allow the plant to form additional roots, which will improve the nutrition of all fruits.

Planting timing and depth

Growing seedlings of pumpkin and zucchini

To shorten the waiting period for fruits, you can plant zucchini and pumpkins in seedlings, while sowing should be done in mid or late April. This method will require additional efforts of the gardener, but it will significantly speed up the harvest.

  1. Wrap the seeds in damp gauze, place in a ceramic container and leave in a warm, dark place for 3 days until they hatch.
  2. Prepare a nutrient substrate by mixing turf, peat and humus in a 2: 1: 1 ratio.
  3. For planting each seed, you must use a separate container, 7.5 cm high and 10-12 cm in diameter.
  4. Fill planting containers with nutrient mixture and water liberally.
  5. Place one sunken seed in the center and deepen it 5 cm.
  6. Place all containers in a common tray and place on a sunny windowsill.
When to plant zucchini in open ground

Within 10-12 days of the next days, shoots will appear, which then, as they grow, should be sprinkled with earth until the cotyledon leaves.

It is necessary to plant seedlings in a permanent place when the temperature regime corresponds to the full growth of pumpkin crops, that is, not lower than 16 degrees. Before planting, the seedlings should be hardened for 1 week, exposing it to the street in a shaded place.

Important! Pumpkin plants do not tolerate even the slightest damage to the root, so when transplanting, you should moisten the soil in containers, which will help to carefully remove the seedling.

Recommendations of experienced gardeners

In order to get a generous harvest of vegetables from year to year, you should familiarize yourself with the recommendations of experienced gardeners. They will help you understand how to properly plant and grow pumpkin and zucchini, as well as avoid serious mistakes.

  • Planting pumpkin crops is best done according to the lunar calendar, taking into account favorable and unfavorable days. The optimal time is considered the growing moon period, when all the forces of the plant are directed upward.
  • When growing seedlings, it is best to use peat glasses, which do not require further root extraction, but also guarantee painless survival in a new place.
  • It is necessary to plant seedlings in open ground at the age of 30 days, based on this, one should calculate what is the most optimal sowing time.
  • During the active growing season, it is necessary to control the moisture in the soil, preventing the roots from drying out.

Observing simple recommendations for growing pumpkins and zucchini, you can achieve excellent results. And an inattentive attitude to the requirements of culture can make all efforts in vain.