The ideal vegetable to encourage kids to grow a garden is zucchini, it's incredibly easy.Young gardeners are given a thrill when the time isn't far from harvest.
Step 1: You have to decide how you are going to start your garden.
You can either plant seeds or buy a pre-existing plant and transplant it to your garden.You have to start your seeds 3-6 weeks prior to the planting time outdoors for your environment.It is easier to grab a pre-potted plant than it is to start your zucchini seeds.There are a few different types of squash.The way the leaves grow on the bush is referred to as a dense habit.Most bush varieties of squash are considered summer squash.There is a yellow-ish hue and a green so dark that it is nearly black in nature.It is normal for some people to have very mild stripes.
Step 2: You should know when to plant.
The best summer squash is zucchini, because it thrives and produces the best fruit.The time of fruiting is what determines whether a variety is considered winter squash.They don't do well in cold soil and are sun loving.The temperature of the soil outdoors should be at least 55 F.After the chance of frost has passed, this is usually after the first or second week of spring.If you don't know when to plant, call your local agricultural extension for information on planting times.
Step 3: You can find the perfect planting location.
There is plenty of room to spread out in an area that gets full sunlight.You can find a location in your garden that will provide the zucchini with at least 10 hours of sunlight per day, but that doesn't have enough shade.You should look for a plot that has well draining soil and not soggy soil.If necessary, improve drainage by planting the zucchini on soil mounds or through larger changes such as soil amendment and drainage systems.For maximum sun exposure in the Southern Hemisphere, plant in an area with southern exposure.
Step 4: Prepare your soil.
Although not everyone has the time, preparing soil several months in advance will allow for the best growing conditions.To supply the soil with the necessary nutrients, start by mixing in a gardening mulch andfertilizer.The zucchini prefer a soil environment with a pH between 6 and 7.5.Peat moss or pine needles can be used to make the soil more acidic.Lime can be used to make the soil more alkaline.If you want to add organic material to the soil, cover it with mulch a month before planting.Sand can be used to encourage water drainage if your soil doesn't drain well.
Step 5: There is a problem.
If you don't want to sow your seeds directly into the soil, you can start your zucchini seeds indoors.Pick up seed trays, soil-less potting mixture, and your seeds.Place a single seed in each tray, cover it with a mixture of potting mix and water well!They should be placed in an area that gets a lot of sunlight.When the second set of leaves have sprouted, the zucchini starts are ready to be replanted outdoors.
Step 6: Prepare your plot.
You can dig a small hole with a gardening trowel.If you want to plant seeds, you need to stick them under the soil.Each hole should be larger than the root ball on the plant.The space between each plant should be the same distance for row space.If you need to thin out seedlings, you can.
Step 7: You should plant your zucchini.
Place each seed into a hole.To get the necessary sunlight and water for germinating, cover seeds with a small amount of soil.If you want to cover the root ball without reaching up the stem, you need enough soil.You can finish up planting with a heavy watering.
Step 8: Continue to maintain your plants.
As they grow, keep an eye on them.They require a bit of upkeep in order to stay in top shape.If weeds continue to be a problem, apply a layer of mulch.If you want to promote growth in your zucchini, add a liquid growthfertilizer every 3-4 weeks.To prevent disease from spreading to other parts of the plant and to promote continuous growth, cut off dead fruit and branches.
Step 9: Encourage growth.
The plant needs to become pollinated in order to start producing fruit.If you don't have bees or other pollinating insects in your area, you can pollinate your plant on your own.A male zucchini flower has a long stem, slender stem and a visible stamen in the center.Rub the stamen inside the female zucchini flower as you pull back the blossoms on the stem.Female zucchini flowers have short stems, a scuplture where the flower meets the stem, and no stamens.Depending on the amount of time you have and the growth you are trying to promote, you can do this to several flowers or just a few.
Step 10: Don't forget to harvest the zucchini.
When they reach at least 4-inches in length, they are ready to be picked and eaten.Picking squash encourages more production.Pick all the zucchinis if you want a lot of squash.Leave one or two zucchinis on the vine for the whole growing season to slow down the production, if you don't have a need for too many squash.If you want to harvest the squash from the bush, use a sharp knife.The flowers are in salads.There won't be many zucchini fruits growing if you pick these.Crops will grow until the first frosts if they are well established.If you don't want to harvest all of your squash yet, you can cut the stem to promote growth.