Zucchini squash: the best varieties for open ground with a photo and a description of the benefits + cultivation and care

Description

Zucchini differs from zucchini not only in appearance, but also in terms of ripening, taste and structure.

How is it different from zucchini?

It is difficult to confuse zucchini with zucchini, because even outwardly they differ. The main feature is the color of the skin of vegetables. In zucchini, it is white, with a hint of green, while in zucchini, it is rich green. Hybrid varieties of a vegetable that has recently appeared in our country have a rich color range.

The second difference is the size of the fruit. The zucchini familiar to us grows to unpredictable sizes, and other ovaries on the bush disappear. Zucchini is much smaller in size – its length does not exceed 30 cm.

The advantage of zucchini is the ripening time. The fruits become ripe after a week, the harvest from zucchini is harvested much later.

The seeds of these vegetables also look different. At the zucchini, they are immediately visible, because the size of the seeds cannot be called miniature. Zucchini fruits have seeds so small that they are quite difficult to see.

In terms of taste characteristics, zucchini surpasses the traditional vegetable, because its pulp is very tender, with light sweetish notes.

Caloric content and nutritional value

Zucchini has 27 kcal, zucchini – 16 kcal. That is why vegetables are the main ingredient in many dietary dishes. In addition, they are easily absorbed in the body, so the fruits are often used for the first feeding of children.

The composition of zucchini is rich in useful substances and minerals. The main elements are magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. In addition, the composition contains:

• iron;
• sodium;
• calcium;
• zinc;
• thiamine.

Benefit and harm

The rich composition of the vegetable determines its active use in health and therapeutic diets, as well as for the prevention of many diseases and strengthening the body:

• activation of digestive processes;
• improve intestinal motility;
• removing excess fluid from the body;
• improve the condition of the skin, nails, hair, teeth;
• relief of the course of gout, inflammation of the kidneys, metabolic abnormalities.

Useful properties of the fruit are associated with a high content of vitamin C, folic acid, carotene.

However, the vegetable also has a contraindication. The main one is due to the presence of oxalate in the composition. Therefore, people suffering from diseases of the gallbladder, urolithiasis or malfunctions in the processes of removing calcium from the body should stop eating zucchini.

Video “Differences of Zucchini and Zucchini”

This video explains the differences between the two vegetable crops.

Cultivation

Gardeners who decide to plant zucchini on their plot should be aware of two methods of growing crops – seed and seedlings. In addition, it should be understood that this plant is more demanding to care than a regular zucchini. What should be the ideal conditions?

Soil preparation

When preparing the soil, it is necessary to keep in mind some recommendations:

1. It is better to dig the ground in autumn. It is recommended to feed the soil with rotted manure or chemical compounds, such as superphosphate. If the soil is too acidic, wood ash is added to it.
2. The best predecessors for zucchini are legumes and nightshade. Cucurbits, on the other hand, will have an adverse effect on future plantings.
3. Before spring planting, the site should be re-digged. You can add an additional dose of fertilizer and, if necessary, disinfect the soil.

Germination of seeds

The seeds must first be soaked. To do this, they are placed in a damp cloth, which, as it dries, is constantly sprayed. When the seeds “hatched”, they are sown in a special container or peat pots.

Planting seeds consists of the following steps:

1. Soil preparation. To prepare a nutrient substrate, the soil is mixed with compost and wood ash.
2. Hole formation. Given the fact that culture loves space, holes should be made at 20 cm intervals.
3. After planting, the soil should be slightly leveled.

Planting seedlings

Harden off zucchini seedlings before planting. To do this, the seedlings are taken out into the fresh air for several hours, and again brought into the room at night.

The best place in the summer cottage will be sunny areas, protected from through winds. The main issue in the process of planting seedlings is soil preparation. It is pre-dug, fertilized and loosened.

If clay soils are used for planting, then sand and compost must be added to them, if sandy – sawdust. Organic fertilizer is poured into holes previously prepared in open ground. For planting seedlings, it is recommended to choose non-sunny weather or in the evening.

Holes should be made at a distance of 80 cm from each other.

Watering

Moisturizing the soil must be carried out regularly and in moderation. Excessive watering will inevitably lead to the development of fungal diseases, and a lack of moisture will destroy the plant. In irrigation, the most important issue is the temperature of the water. It should be 20–23 °C. It is undesirable to neglect this requirement, since watering with cold water significantly increases the risk of root rot.

Additional fertilizing

Zucchini does not need constant fertilizing, however, the flowering period involves fertilizing the soil. The best option, according to gardeners, are complex mineral fertilizers. In addition, organic fertilizers are actively used.

Harvesting and storage of crops

Zucchini fruits are stored much longer than white-fruited zucchini. Harvest about 2-3 times a week, after which the fruits are consumed fresh or sent for conservation. To collect seeds, zucchini is stored in a bright, cool place.

Diseases and pests

Culture, as a rule, is resistant to many diseases. But sometimes the plant is affected by such diseases:

• anthracnose;
• ascochitosis;
• bacteriosis;
• summit bacteriosis;
• dry top rot;
• fusariosis;
• powdery mildew;
• downy mildew;
• white rot;
• gray rot.

The most dangerous pests of pumpkin crops are called spider mites, whiteflies and melon aphids. To protect your plantings from pest attacks, you need to organize the correct mode of watering and fertilizing, and carry out preventive treatments.

Varieties and hybrids

Numerous varieties and hybrids bred during breeding allow each gardener to choose zucchini that will feel comfortable in domestic garden beds.

Aeronaut

One of the best early ripe varieties, grown in open and closed ground. The fruits are dark green with many small dots.

Banana

A hybrid variety, the fruits of which really look like a banana. Zucchini is well tolerated by transportation, stored for a long time without loss of taste.

White

Fruits are characterized by a milky shade, thin skin. The culture is unpretentious in care, endures temperature extremes, frosts.

Waterfall

The variety is hybrid. It has early maturation and high rates of disease resistance. Gives, as a rule, a plentiful harvest. Fruits reach 600 g.

Gribovsky

The fruits are white in color, grow up to 30 cm in length. The variety ripens about 50 days after planting. During the growing season forms long branches.

Diamond

The variety was bred by German breeders. It begins to bear fruit 40 days after planting in the ground, therefore it is considered the earliest.

yellow-fruited

The fruits are yellow in color and have soft flesh. The culture is resistant to pests and easily tolerates transportation.

Zebra

According to the description, it is similar to yellow-fruited zucchini. It has high fruiting rates. A feature is the unusual color of the fruit – dark green with white stripes.

Zolotinka

The crop can be harvested 43 days after the appearance of the first sprouts. The plant has a branched structure, therefore it requires a sufficient amount of free space.

The fruits of Zolotinka are bright yellow in color and have excellent taste.

Iskander

A hybrid variety created by breeders from Holland. Vegetables have a light green hue, thin peel and soft pulp. The culture ripens 45 days after germination.

Cavili

An early ripe hybrid that has high fruiting rates. Vegetables grow up to 25 cm in length and have a greenish tint.

Laguaria

Another name is Calabash. The most unusual variety, due to the original shape of the fruit: elongated, reminiscent of a ram’s horn. The variety has a long ripening period.

Medusa

Ripens about 37 days. Resistant to temperature fluctuations, frost and drafts. The mass of ripe fruits can reach 1 kg.

Ball

The variety is characterized by fruits in the form of balls. Color – dark green with a speck. The ripening period is about 60 days.

Negro

The variety is characterized by compactness, few leaves. Vegetables have a cylindrical shape, tender flesh and thin skin. The culture easily adapts to almost any climatic conditions and resists diseases well.

Nephritis

As a rule, up to 30 fruits ripen on one shrub, therefore this variety is considered the most fruitful. The fruits are dark green, with dense skin and juicy pulp.

Odessa

This variety is resistant to many fungal diseases. The fruits are medium in size, are actively used in conservation and are suitable for fresh consumption.

Parthenon

The variety was bred by Dutch breeders. The fruits have a glossy thin skin. The variety bears fruit even in adverse conditions.

Ronda

The variety has a long ripening period, but the level of fruiting is high. Vegetables are characterized by an unusual spherical shape and green color. Zucchini is often used in home canning.

Skvorushka

The variety bears fruit well, resistant to fungal diseases and frosts. The fruits have the shape of a cylinder with a characteristic barely noticeable ribbing. The taste of zucchini is delicate, sweetish.

Sosnovsky

The variety bears fruit with milky and cream-colored zucchini. A characteristic feature is considered to be good resistance to pests and adverse weather conditions.

Spaghetti

A characteristic feature of the Spaghetti variety is the ability of the pulp to delaminate into fibers, forming a kind of “spaghetti”. The culture has a late ripening period, so it can be successfully grown in regions with a full and long summer.

Tiger

The fruiting period reaches 70 days. Ripe vegetables have an elongated shape and a characteristic dark green color. The variety easily tolerates a long water deficit.

Pharaoh

A characteristic feature of this variety is the ability of the fruit to change its color depending on the degree of maturity.

Unripe fruits of the Pharaoh, as a rule, are painted in a greenish tint, and ripe – in black.

Cukesha

This is perhaps the most versatile variety. It can be grown in all regions of Our Country, as it quickly adapts to any weather conditions. Tsukeshi fruit is often added to salads.

Black handsome man

Vegetables have a dark, close to black color. The culture is resistant to diseases and easily tolerates transportation.

Anchor

A characteristic feature of the variety is considered to be a long period of fruiting – until the arrival of the first frost. Anchor is resistant to water deficiency and gives a bountiful harvest.

Zucchini belongs to the category of cucurbits that are relatively easy to grow. Compliance with the elementary conditions of keeping the plant will provide the gardener with a good harvest of healthy vegetables.