When is zucchini planted, and when does it hit the market?

AbstractZucchini planting is divided into spring sowing and autumn sowing. Spring sowing is generally in February to March each year, while autumn sowing is generally in August to September each year. Common cultivation methods include open-field cultivation, ground-cover cultivation, and greenhouse cultivation.

Zucchini must be very familiar to everyone. In some places it is also called white gourd or marrow squash, and it is a vegetable that everyone greatly enjoys. There are many ways to eat zucchini; it can not only be stir-fried directly, but also eaten cold dressed. As market demand for zucchini keeps growing, many growers have also entered this industry. Before planting zucchini, we must first understand its planting time.

Zucchini planting time

Zucchini is divided into spring sowing or autumn sowing. Spring sowing is generally planted in February to March, while autumn sowing is generally planted in August to September. However, most zucchini is mainly spring sown. Its cultivation methods mainly fall into three types, namely open-field cultivation, ground-cover cultivation, and greenhouse cultivation. Zucchini cultivation is divided into raising seedlings and transplanting. Generally, once the zucchini seedlings have 3 true leaves and 1 heart leaf, they can be transplanted.

When zucchini hits the market

If it is autumn sown, the sowing period is in mid-August, transplanting is in mid-September, harvesting begins in mid-October, and the vines are pulled in early to mid-February of the following year. The harvest and supply period is about 120 days or more.

Zucchini growing habits

1. Temperature: A temperature of 20-25 degrees is more suitable during the zucchini growing period. Below 15 degrees will cause its growth to slow down, and below 8 degrees will directly stop growth. Above 30 degrees will also cause its growth to slow down and make it very prone to disease. The suitable temperature for zucchini seed germination is 25-30 degrees. When the temperature reaches 13 degrees, it can germinate, but very slowly. If the temperature is 30-35 degrees, it will germinate very quickly, but the drawback is that it is prone to leggy growth. The flowering and fruiting period of zucchini requires a relatively high temperature, with a suitable temperature range of 22-25 degrees. The minimum temperature for root growth is 6 degrees, and the minimum temperature for root hair formation is 12 degrees. When the nighttime temperature is 8-10 degrees, its fertilized fruit can develop normally.

2. Light: Zucchini has moderate requirements for light intensity and can tolerate weak light, but insufficient light easily causes zucchini to grow leggy. It is a short-day plant. Under long-day conditions, it is more favorable for stem and leaf growth, while under short-day conditions, the fruiting period is earlier.

3. Humidity: Zucchini likes a moist environment and is not tolerant of drought. Under high-temperature and drought conditions, it is prone to viral disease, while under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions, it is also prone to powdery mildew.

4. Soil: Zucchini does not have high soil requirements. General sandy soil, clay soil, and loam soil can all be used for cultivation and planting. Deep loam soil makes it easier to obtain high yields.

Zucchini cultivation techniques

1. Land preparation and fertilization: Mainly use organic fertilizer. Generally, apply 2000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer, 40 kg of compound fertilizer, 80 kg of plant ash, and 75 kg of cake fertilizer per mu. The method is to evenly spread the fertilizer on the ground, then deep plow 30 cm, and then level the ground.

2. Ditching and bed making: Adopt the method of deep ditches and high beds with plastic film mulching cultivation. Generally, a bed width of 100 cm, bed height of 20 cm, and ditch width of 25-30 cm are better. Before covering the film, level the bed surface again and spray herbicide. When covering the film, remember to pull it tight and then cover it flat so that the plastic film fits closely against the bed surface, and then compact the edges of the film with soil. After land preparation, fertilization, bed making, and film covering, before transplanting, use 45% chlorothalonil smoke agent, about 1 kg per mu, to fumigate, close the greenhouse, and sterilize for about 7-10 days.

3. Timely transplanting: Generally transplant in mid-March. When the seedlings have 3 true leaves and 1 heart leaf or 4 leaves just unfolding, and the seedling age is about 1 month, they can be transplanted. Small varieties are planted in double rows with a spacing of 40×40 cm, about 1800 plants per mu. Large varieties are planted in double rows with a spacing of 50×50 cm, about 1600 plants per mu. One day before transplanting, water the seedbed thoroughly, select strong and good seedlings, and try to keep more soil on the roots when transplanting. During transplanting, let the root system spread normally. After transplanting, water to settle the roots, and seal the transplanting holes tightly with fine soil. After that, water once a day until the seedlings survive.

4. Temperature management: Do not ventilate during the seedling recovery stage. The main goal is to raise the greenhouse temperature and promote rooting. During the day, the greenhouse temperature should preferably be kept at 25-28 degrees, and at night at 18-20 degrees. On sunny days at noon, when the greenhouse temperature exceeds 30 degrees, ventilate appropriately. After seedling recovery, control the daytime greenhouse temperature at 20-25 degrees and nighttime at 12-15 degrees, which is beneficial for female flower differentiation and early fruit setting. After fruit setting, maintain the daytime temperature at 22-26 degrees and nighttime at 15-18 degrees, with the minimum not lower than 10 degrees. Increasing the day-night temperature difference is beneficial for nutrient accumulation and fruit enlargement.

5. Pollination and fruit preservation: In early spring, the temperature is generally relatively low, so artificial pollination should be used. Generally, before 9 a.m., pick male flowers that open on the same day, remove the corolla, and then gently smear it on the stigma of the female flower. You can also use plant hormones such as anti-drop agent and fruit-setting hormone according to the instructions.

6. Fertilizer and water management: Water timely according to soil moisture. If there is a fertilizer deficiency later, you can also break the film and apply an additional 10-15 kg of compound fertilizer per mu, or directly spray foliar fertilizer.

7. Timely harvesting: Zucchini is mainly eaten as a tender fruit, so once it meets the requirements for market sale, it should be harvested in a timely manner. Vigorous plants can appropriately retain more fruits and larger fruits, while leggy plants should have their fruits harvested appropriately later, and weak plants should retain fewer fruits and have fruits harvested earlier. When picking, be careful not to damage the main vine. It is best to leave the fruit stalk on the main vine.

As mentioned above, the planting time of zucchini is generally around March or September each year. Due to different climates in different regions, the planting time will also differ slightly. Transplanting is relatively critical. To increase yield, an appropriate amount of fertilization later is also essential.