When to plant zucchini for seedlings in 2023: timing and features of transplantation, tips
Zucchini is not always grown in seedlings. However, if you want to harvest early, you should use this technique. This is a fairly simple process, but it is important to ensure the temperature and light conditions. At the same time, many novice gardeners are interested in when it is better to plant zucchini for seedlings in 2023. In this case, you should focus on the lunar calendar and the climatic features of the region.
Growing site requirements
In order for squash seedlings to develop normally, it needs to provide good lighting and a relatively low temperature.Thanks to this, within a month it will grow into a viable plant. It is very important not to overheat the plants in the first few days. This is the main difficulty in growing a crop.
After 4-5 days, the seedlings can withstand + 18-24 degrees, but at night it should be a little cooler. Direct sunlight in April-May is dangerous for the plant. She needs a powerful but diffused light. Therefore, it is not worth putting containers with zucchini on the southern windowsill. When placing the container on the north window, you need to equip additional lighting.
When is the best time to plant
When choosing the timing of planting a crop, it is worth considering regional features:
- In the middle lane, landing work is carried out in March or in the first half of April. They can be transplanted into open soil after May 9th. However, it is important to cover young bushes. At the end of May, this procedure can no longer be carried out.
- In Yekaterinburg and the northern regions, it is worth planting zucchini seeds in April. Bushes are moved to open ground after May 20. At this time in the regions there may still be frosts. Therefore, plants need to be covered. You can remove the insulation at the beginning of June.
- In Siberia and the Urals, planting work should be carried out in April-May. Landing in the ground is possible when the temperature remains stable positive. This is usually observed in early June.
- In the south, zucchini should be planted in February. Already in March, seedlings are moved to a permanent place in open soil.
Schedule, according to the lunar calendar
When carrying out landing work, it is imperative to focus on the dates fixed in the lunar calendar. Zucchini are among the crops that produce above-ground fruits. Therefore, they should be planted and transplanted during the growth of the moon. During the period of the new moon and full moon, such work should not be carried out.At this time, it is permissible to prepare the soil and containers. You can also equip beds.
In 2023, for planting work, you should focus on the data in the table:
| Month | Good period | Bad period |
| February | 1-4, 21-28 | 5, 20 |
| March | 1-6, 22-31 | 7, 21 |
| April | 1-5, 21-30 | 6, 20 |
| May | 1-4, 20-31 | 5, 19 |
| June | 1-3, 21-30 | 4, 18 |
If you plant at a favorable time, the sprouts will appear on time, and the seedlings will actively develop. This will make it possible to move them to the open ground in time and collect an early harvest.
Planting instructions
In order for the landing work to be successful, it is worth considering certain rules and recommendations.
Preparation of seeds and soil
Seeds are worth buying at the store. This will help to obtain high-quality planting material with understandable shelf life. In addition, the packaging contains information about the characteristics of the variety, the approximate timing of planting and moving into open ground.
There are different ways to cook zucchini seeds:
- hold for a few hours in warm water;
- soak in a growth stimulator according to the instructions - for this it is permissible to use preparations such as Zircon, Epin, NV-101;
- sprout in a humid environment - for this you need to wrap the seeds in cotton napkins soaked in warm water and hold at a temperature of +22-26 degrees.
For the full formation of the root system of plants, loose soil is required, which is permeable to moisture and air. The best option would be a ready-made substrate for vegetable seedlings. You can also make it yourself.
To do this, mix non-acidic peat, river sand and humus in a ratio of 2:1:1. After connecting the components, the composition is disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or hot steam. After that, you need to water the ground with a fungicidal solution.
Planting and aftercare
For planting seeds, you need to use a neutral or slightly alkaline soil. After that, you need to fill peat or disposable cups with the prepared substrate and deepen the prepared seeds into it. This needs to be done by 2 centimeters.
Also, zucchini seeds can simply be placed on the surface of the soil, sprinkled and sprinkled with a substrate. In any case, crops need to be watered abundantly with warm water. To do this, you can use a watering can or a spray bottle.
In order for squash seedlings to develop normally, it needs to provide full and high-quality care. At the same time, it is recommended to take into account that the optimal temperature regime for landing is + 20-25 degrees in the daytime and + 15-17 degrees at night. After the shoots appear, during the day you need to provide + 15-22 degrees, and at night - + 12-17.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionIt is important to consider that excess moisture provokes rotting of the root system. Therefore, waterlogging the soil is not recommended. Watering should be carried out along the edges of the container to avoid water accumulation near the roots. For this, it is recommended to use settled water at room temperature.7 days after germination, it is worth feeding the zucchini with urea. To prepare the solution, you need to take half a teaspoon of the substance per 1 liter of water.After another 1-1.5 weeks, nitrophoska should be applied. At the same time, it is recommended to use 1 small spoonful of fertilizer per 1 liter. When the seedlings get stronger, it should be planted in open ground or in a greenhouse.
Zucchini are considered popular and unpretentious crops. At the same time, the cultivation of plants by seedlings still differs in a number of features. To get strong seedlings and a bountiful harvest, it is imperative to take into account the timing of planting.
