Growing Zucchini Plants with these Tips
In this article, however, we will be looking at the journey these veggies take from the garden to our dinner tables providing us with the nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy and fit.
Growing Zucchini
When growing zucchini use soil that is organically rich, one reason for this is that organic soils are great for their watering holding capacity, and as your plants mature they will need a good amount of water to perform at their best.
You can either grow zucchini from 15-gallon pots or by preparing a garden area that has good organic soil. Plant seeds about 1/2 to an inch into the soil, each seed should be spaced about 8-12 inches apart.
Keep the soil moist, don’t allow it to dry out, in a few weeks your seeds will germinate. Give your plants another week or so and then you can apply an organic or slow-release fertilizer. Read the label and follow as directed because the label is the law.
After your zucchini starts to flower give it a balanced fertilizer, overfeeding with nitrogen will cause your plant to produce more green while decreasing fruit production so be very careful when fertilizing. Make sure at this stage that your plants are watered at all times.
Pest Problems
Always be on the lookout for garden pests, there are many pests that attack zucchini such as squash vine borers, Cucumber beetles, Aphids, etc… at this point, it is good to use an organic insecticide to control these insects. In my opinion aphids are the easiest to control. With a garden hose attachment, gauge sharpshooter, begin spraying this will knock them off plant and kill them.
When applying insecticides make sure to get both the top and the undersides of leaves, apply in the evening before the sun sets and when it is much cooler.
Time of Harvest
This is the fun part after all that tender loving care now comes time to harvest your plant. In a few weeks, your zucchini will be ready to harvest. You will see beautiful squash forming and developing.
Zucchini can get very large, wait until the fruit is tender by gently squeezing it. Continue to keep the plant well watered not waterlogged but ensure that the soil is moist at all times.
Remove zucchini from your plant by gently holding the fruit and twisting it until it breaks off or with a sharp knife or pruner cut fruit from the stem.
Health benefits of zucchini
1. Great for your skin.
2. Promotes heart health.
3. Is good for your hair.
4. Has been known to help relieve joint pain.
5. Aids in weight loss.
6. Help to keep the body hydrated.
7. Promotes good vision.
8. Lowers cholesterol.
9. Aids in a good bowel movement.
1o. Can help to relieve muscle pain.
11. Zucchini has been known to help in the control of diabetes.
12. Promotes Good digestion.
13. Strengthens teeth.
14. Helps to fight colon cancer.
15. Zucchini has also been shown medically to lower blood pressure.
The final word
These are just a few of the benefits of zucchini. So including this fruit in your diet can go a long way in helping to keep you fit and healthy so the next time you write your shopping list add this veggie or better yet what about growing your very own zucchini plant?
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Great article, My Wife and I love zucchini any chance we can get. We are vegan so this is one of our go to foods for nutrition. You did a great job showing all the ways zucchini is good for you, I actually never knew all of that. A few yes but not all of those on the list, We do grow them and pretty close to what you said instructions wise, so we will book mark this information and use it as a guide nest time we plant.
Great Job
Thanks for the information