Round zucchini: description of the best varieties, cultivation and yield with photos

History of appearance

Some people still wonder if there are varieties of large zucchini. However, when searching for information, there are many types of rounded varieties that resemble pumpkins in appearance.

The first zucchini was bred in Mexico and already at the beginning of the 16th century began to actively spread throughout Europe. Representatives of the “pumpkin” became a favorite dish of Europeans, so more and more gardeners began to plant the crop. Today there are many varieties of round zucchini, which differ in taste, shape and external characteristics.

All about round varieties of zucchini: photos and reviews

The fruits of zucchini are thick, elongated, oblong, and the fruits most often shown in the photo are green in color. But there are also round-shaped vegetables in white and yellow colors, which are classified as hybrids obtained by crossing with other plants. They are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and early maturity.

The chemical composition of round zucchini is rich in fiber, vitamins and nutrients. It contains a large amount of vitamins A and C, and microelements such as calcium and magnesium, necessary for the good functioning of the nervous system and strengthening bones, teeth, and hair. As well as iron and potassium, which are good for the heart, liver and other organs.

The most common zucchini is an oblong-shaped vegetable. But there are also round varieties.

They can be grown throughout Russia and the CIS countries, with the exception of the cold northern regions. Zucchini belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is considered a perennial plant. But in the CIS countries it is grown as an annual plant. Round squashes are divided into two main types - regular zucchini and zucchini. The first varieties have white fruits, while the second are distinguished by a variety of colors, which can be yellow in the photo and various green shades distributed in stripes.

Appearance dimensions

In appearance, rounded zucchini looks more like a pumpkin or a small watermelon. Mature fruits reach 2–3 kg, but for cooking it is better to select fruits whose weight is no more than two hundred grams and whose diameter is no more than 15 cm.

Mature large-fruited zucchini are characterized by a dense peel, due to which they are stored for a long time in winter. All varieties of round zucchini tolerate the Russian climate well, so their yield is high. The crop does not require special care; fertilizing, weeding and watering are sufficient.

Reviews from gardeners

This is what gardeners say about round zucchini.

Alexandra, Sochi: “I really love zucchini in any form. My favorites are the Kolobok and Myachik varieties. They never get sick and keep up quickly. They come out neat and beautiful. They are very mild in taste and contain almost no seeds. The peel can be easily removed.”

Maria, Perm region: “I give preference only to hybrid varieties, as they better tolerate frost and long absence of sun. I plant it in seedlings - this way the plant takes root better. I love the Mother-in-law hospitable variety, I recommend it to everyone.”

Olga, Izhevsk: “Last year I planted several varieties of round and regular zucchini. The first developed slowly, the zucchini was flat. Oblong zucchini, in my opinion, is more tasty and successful. There’s not much difference in care, but I like the standard varieties better.”

Composition and calorie content

100 grams of round zucchini contains 24 kcal, which allows the vegetable to be classified as a low-calorie product.

Pumpkin seeds are very beneficial for the body; they contain structured water, which improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and normalizes all digestive processes. In addition, round zucchini contains the following useful components:

potassium;
calcium;
copper;
zinc;
vitamins A, B1, C, PP;
phosphorus;
sodium;
iron;
manganese;
cellulose;
dietary fiber and so on.

All these substances are extremely beneficial for the body: they stimulate the intestines, remove unnecessary toxins, reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol, and activate metabolic processes.

Chemical composition

Zucchini fruits contain the following elements:

Thiamine compounds. Helps improve digestion, immunity, normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system and brain.
Riboflavin substances. Improves the breakdown of fat, carbohydrate, and protein components.
Ascorbic acid. Improves the body's resistance to poisonous and toxic substances, accelerates wound healing, and helps absorb iron.
Folic acid. Improves immunity.
Apple acid. Provides normalization of cellular metabolism and improvement of appetite.
A nicotinic acid. Provides normalization of the gastrointestinal tract.

Advantages and disadvantages of round zucchini

Round zucchini is low in calories and is a storehouse of vitamins and nutrients. Unlike the oblong “pumpkin” ones, they are more widely used in cooking. Due to their attractive shape, they are most often used for baking and stuffing. They are also used to prepare cutlets, jam, stew and much more.

The beneficial properties of round zucchini are complemented by the fact that they are extremely useful for pregnant women, as they have a beneficial effect on intestinal function.

Zucchini is often used in cosmetology. They are added to face masks that moisturize dry skin for a long time.

Round pumpkins do not require special care and are not picky about the soil. No deficiencies were found in this crop.

Varieties of large round zucchini - description and photo

Large-fruited varieties with large fruits attract with their versatility. For stuffing, they can be picked unripe to prepare each family member an individual dish with his favorite filling. And a round zucchini that has grown to its size, weighing 2–3 kg, is suitable for a festive table where guests gather. In addition, mature large-fruited zucchini develop a dense peel, which ensures long-term storage in winter.

The ideal weight of zucchini for stuffing is no more than 200 g.

Ball

The ball grows as a compact bush without vines, the fruit is dark green, speckled

From germination to the first harvest, 50–55 days pass. Zucchini grows weighing 0.8–2.1 kg. The bush is compact and does not produce lashes. The leaves are carved, light green, with rare white spots. The fruits tend to be spherical, but can grow flattened or slightly elongated at the base. There is slight ribbing. The peel is dark green with light specks.

Mother-in-law is hospitable

Tescha's fruits are light green and turn white as they grow.

The name is often shortened to Hospitable. This is a very productive hybrid; up to 10 ovaries are simultaneously formed on one plant. The bush is powerful, without lashes. The fruits are smooth, light, slightly ribbed, grow up to 2.5 kg. The variety is suitable for all types of canning, as well as preparing hot dishes and snacks. In addition, Mother-in-law is good for winter storage. The first harvest is ready for harvest 40–45 days after germination.

Sailor

The weight of the Sailor at technical ripeness is 500–600 g

This is a very early ripening variety; the first fruits are ready for harvest within 35–40 days after seed germination. A rare zucchini can surprise you with the same intensity of ovary formation as that of the Sailor. The more often you harvest, the richer it will be. The fruits grow up to 3.5 kg, but for cooking it is recommended to pick zucchini weighing 500–600 g. The packaging of the seeds mentions weak branching, however, gardeners in their reviews say that Moryachok grows as a compact bush without lashes, and the incredible yield allows you to feed your family , and allocate part of the fruits to feed livestock.

Watermelon

Looks like watermelon, tastes like zucchini, grows like a pumpkin

Some gardeners are already growing a hybrid of watermelon and pumpkin - kavbuz, and this vegetable is obtained by crossing watermelon and zucchini. Watermelon squash grows like a pumpkin, that is, it produces long and densely leafy vines, so the seeds must be sown at a distance of 2 m from each other. The fruits grow large - 4-6 kg each, but you can pick them unripe and prepare the same dishes as with ordinary zucchini. One bush produces 10 zucchini, and with good care up to 40. The pulp inside is snow-white and sweet, the seeds are pink or black. The huge advantage of this variety is its high shelf life. Watermelon is stored until next spring, remaining just as tasty and aromatic. But before cooking, you will have to peel it from seeds and peel. This is a late-ripening variety (50–60 days), so in short summer conditions it is better to grow it through seedlings.

Boatswain

The boatswain stands out among other large-fruited fruits not only because of its impressive yield, but also because of the solid appearance of the fruit.

Botsman, despite its early ripening (44–46 days), has a very powerful bush and impressive yield. The fruits grow up to 2-3 kg, and for particularly diligent vegetable growers - up to 4 kg. The pulp is light green with a pronounced zucchini taste. Suitable for stewing, frying, freezing, and small, unripe fruits can be stuffed. Fully ripened Bosun is stored all winter.

Video: how to stuff round zucchini

Varieties and hybrids of round zucchini

All varieties of zucchini are divided into large, small, and hybrids. Large pumpkins usually weigh at least 1 kilogram. Therefore, for cooking, it is better to pick young fruits before they reach large sizes. There is a wide variety of large round varieties. These include:

Ball. This is an early ripening variety that ripens in 50 days. The culture has medium-sized leaves of light green color. The weight of the zucchini is approximately 1 kg, the color is spotted, light green. In terms of external characteristics, the “Ball” resembles a watermelon. The zucchini pulp is juicy, with a minimal amount of small seeds. The variety is characterized by resistance to powdery mildew and putrefactive processes.
Watermelon. Another variety that resembles a watermelon in appearance. Full ripening of the fruit occurs in autumn. This is a high-yielding crop that produces up to 20 fruits in one bush. Since the Watermelon variety trails and covers several meters of area, its cultivation area must be extensive. The fruits reach a weight of 3 kg, and the diameter of young fruits is 9–15 cm.
The mother-in-law is hospitable. The culture is characterized by smooth, round-shaped fruits and a light green color, which turns white when ripe. The pulp of this variety is very tender. The weight of the fetus varies from 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms. One plant can produce up to 10 fruits at the same time. Recommended for processing into caviar, canning and home cooking.
Sailor. Early ripening variety. The fruits are light green in color with a spotted ribbed surface. Ripening takes 40 days. The fruits weigh up to 1 kg. The white pulp has the most delicate taste. The yield is 5 kg per 1 square meter. Can be grown in all regions.
Boatswain. Early ripening variety. Compared to other species, it stands out for its impressive yield and solid appearance of fruits. The ripening period takes 40–45 days. The fruits grow up to 3 kg, sometimes up to 4. The pulp has a pronounced zucchini taste and a light green color. The ripened Bosun can be easily stored all winter.
Kolobok. Another early ripening variety, the ripening period of which takes 40 days. A light-loving crop that does not require much space. The weight of the fruit usually does not exceed 1 kg. It is best to eat unripe zucchini with a diameter of 10 cm. Kolobok resembles a pumpkin in both taste and appearance. Can be grown in any region.

Varietal diversity

Thanks to their attractive shape, round zucchini becomes a decoration for both the summer cottage and the holiday table. You won’t be able to buy them in the supermarket, since they are grown only in private households. As a result of research, many varieties of round zucchini were obtained, differing from each other in external characteristics and some cultivation features. Based on the size and weight of the fruit, all varieties are divided into large and small.

Large round zucchini

These include varieties with round and large fruits weighing from 1 to 6–7 kg. They can be eaten raw or prepared into a variety of vegetable dishes or preserves. To understand when to pick fruits, you need to remember that they are most delicious when slightly unripe. When fully ripe, the taste characteristics of their pulp deteriorate slightly. Next, we will look at the names of the most popular varieties of this type of vegetable and give their description.

Did you know? The largest zucchini included in the Guinness Book of Records was grown in 2008 in England and weighed 65 kg!

Ball

The name of the variety comes from its spherical shape, and the bush itself looks very compact in the garden.

Main characteristics:

The variety is early ripening and high-yielding.
The bush is resistant to low air temperatures and has average immunity to disease.
The fruits are covered with a green peel with lighter spots.
The weight of an average zucchini ranges from 0.8 to 2.1 kg.
The pulp is juicy and contains a small amount of seeds.
The fruits have excellent taste and attractive presentation.

Zucchini-watermelon

The vegetable was obtained by crossing zucchini and watermelon, therefore it combines the characteristics of both types.

Its main features are:

This variety is late-ripening, but gives a high yield - up to 20 fruits from one bush.
Zucchini resemble watermelons in appearance, covered with a thin and durable green peel with light stripes and spots.
The weight of one fruit can reach 6 kg.
The pulp is white and juicy, very sweet.
The seeds of the fruit are pink or black.
The fruits of the variety have a long shelf life, but their taste characteristics do not deteriorate.

Boatswain

The fruits of this variety have an impressive appearance, and the bush looks spreading and powerful.

The main characteristics of the Botsman variety are:

Vegetables are early ripening, their ripening period is up to 1.5 months.
The fruits have a thin skin of dark green color.
The weight of one zucchini with good care can reach 3–4 kg. Productivity is high (10 kg/m²).
The pulp of the fruit is dense, light green in color, and has a rich taste.
The variety has good shelf life; vegetables can be stored well all winter.

Burzhuin F1

A universal variety with large bushes that can be successfully grown in any region, but require careful care.

Characteristics of Burzhuin F1 zucchini:

The variety is early ripening, the fruits can be harvested 1.5 months after the appearance of the first shoots. Productivity is high - up to 10 kg per 1 m².
The fruits are large and have a dark green, dense skin.
The weight of one vegetable can reach 3 kg.
The pulp is dense and has a light shade when cut. Vegetables have good taste.
The fruits are well stored and transported without losing their attractive presentation.

Mother-in-law is hospitable

These zucchini plants are characterized by powerful bushes and beautiful large fruits. Sometimes the abbreviated name of the variety is used - Khlebosolnye zucchini.

Description of the species:

The variety is early ripening; 1.5 months are enough for the harvest to ripen.
The yield of the bush is high - up to 12 kg per 1 m². Up to 10 fruits can form on one plant at a time.
The peel is light green, but as the vegetable ripens, it changes color to a lighter color.
The weight of one fruit is 1.5–2.5 kg.
The pulp of the vegetable is very tender, creamy in color, and has a pleasant taste.
Zucchini withstands long-term storage well and is well transported over long distances.

Sailor

The bushes of this variety, despite their compact appearance, very intensively form new ovaries.

The main characteristics of the Moryachok variety are described below:

The fruits ripen early, the first harvest can be harvested 35 days after the first shoots appear.
The variety is resistant to different climatic conditions, so it can be grown in different regions.
Productivity is high - up to 5 kg per 1 m².
The skin of the vegetable is light green, with small white spots.
Fruit weight ranges from 600 to 900 g.
The pulp is white, very tasty and juicy.

Tondo di Piacenza

The homeland of this variety is Italy, but the plant is successfully grown in any region and does not require specific care.

Main characteristics of Tondo di Piacenza zucchini:

The variety is early ripening; the first harvest can be harvested in 1.5–2 months.
When grown in open ground with minimal care, the yield of the bush is high.
Zucchini is covered with a dark green, smooth skin with light spots.
The vegetables are not very large, they can reach 10–12 cm in diameter.
The pulp is light and tender, juicy.
The fruits that are not fully ripened have the highest taste characteristics and can be consumed even raw.

Ronde de Nice

This variety was bred by French breeders. Its peculiarity is that in order to obtain the maximum harvest, you need to pick the first fruits from the bush as early as possible.

Description of the variety:

It is classified as an early ripening plant; no more than 40 days pass from seed germination to the ripening of the first harvest.
Vegetables are small in size. Their weight is about 1 kg, and their diameter is up to 15 cm. Productivity is high.
The fruits are covered with soft and thin skin of a light green hue.
The pulp is cream-colored and contains almost no seeds.
The most delicious are considered to be slightly unripe vegetables that are used in cooking.

Small round zucchini

These vegetables are very popular due to their miniature size. Small round fruits become a decorative decoration for a summer cottage, are ideal for stuffing and have very tender and tasty pulp. Let's get acquainted with the most common varieties of small round zucchini.

Did you know? Vietnamese zucchini can grow up to 2 m in length and weigh about 150 kg!

Orange

Zucchini of this variety decorate the garden plot with the compact shape of the bush and the decorative appearance of small fruits.

Main characteristics of the Orange species:

The variety is early ripening and can be harvested 40–45 days after planting.
In appearance, the fruits resemble a small pumpkin, covered with a bright yellow skin with a small green spot near the stalk.
The yield of the bush is about 4–8 kg per bush, and the diameter of the zucchini rarely exceeds 17 cm.
The pulp of the vegetable is light and contains many seeds.
Ripe zucchini has a good taste and healthy composition, but when overripe, the volume of the pulp decreases and the taste of the fruit decreases.
The advantages of the variety include its spectacular appearance and high carotene content in the fruits.

Kolobok

Bushes of this variety grow quite compactly, but require good lighting.

The main characteristics of the Kolobok variety are:

The fruits are early ripening, ripen 1.5 months after seed germination. The plant is immune to disease.
The shape of the vegetables resembles a small pumpkin, the average weight is about 600–900 g.
The peel of the fruit is soft, dark green or light in color.
The pulp is tender and tastes like pumpkin.
With good care, the variety's yield is high.
The fruits can be stored until winter.

F1 Festival

This variety was obtained by crossing pumpkin and zucchini. The bush looks powerful, and its fruits become a decoration of the garden.

Characteristics of the Festival variety:

The variety belongs to the late ripening variety; the harvest can be harvested only 2 months after planting.
The fruits have a round, ribbed shape and can reach 15 cm in diameter.
The harvest is plentiful and can be stored for up to 10 months even at room temperature.
The rind is covered with green stripes that turn yellow or orange as they ripen.
The pulp is juicy and tasty, colored bright orange.
The variety is distinguished by the external beauty of its fruits, but is too sensitive to cold and temperature changes.

Tintoretto

In appearance, the fruits of this variety are very similar to the Myachik variety zucchini, but differ in some characteristics. The homeland of the Tintoretto variety is Italy.

The main characteristics of plants are:

The variety is very early ripening; it takes only a little more than a month for the harvest to ripen.
When growing this variety, it does not matter whether there are spring frosts in the region, since the bush is resistant to cold.
The fruits are small, their weight ranges from 0.6 to 2.2 kg. Productivity is good - up to 10 kg per 1 m².
Zucchini is covered with a smooth skin, the color of which changes from light green to yellow as the vegetable ripens.
The pulp of the fruit is juicy, sweet and tender. It is light in color and contains large seeds.
The advantages of the variety are its good transportability and excellent keeping quality.

Tondo

The bush of this variety is compactly located in the garden bed and resembles a small green watermelon.

Important! Due to the miniature size of the fruit, the Tondo variety is convenient for canning.

The description of the plant is presented below:

The Tondo variety is an early ripening variety; zucchini ripens 55 days after planting.
The fruits are spherical in shape, their diameter is 10–15 cm.
The weight of one zucchini does not exceed 500–600 g. From 1 m² you can harvest about 4–5.5 kg of vegetables.
The skin is smooth and thin, dark green in color.
The pulp of the fruit is very tender and tasty, there are almost no seeds.
Even if overripe, the vegetable does not lose its excellent taste characteristics.

Small varieties

Small-fruited zucchini are characterized by high yield. The fruits grow abundantly, so there is enough of them for cooking and canning. Small zucchini have a very tender skin and a minimum of seeds. Small-fruited crops include:

Tintoretto. In terms of external characteristics, the variety resembles the Russian zucchini Myachik, only earlier ripening (40 days), and with small fruits (on average up to 600 g). The variety belongs to the zucchini family, bears up to 6 fruits at a time and grows as a compact bush. The pulp tastes sweet and juicy.
Orange. A miniature bush that does not take up much space in the garden. Productivity is average. Up to 5 fruits with a maximum size of 15 cm grow at the same time. It is important to pick the fruits unripe, in this form they are rich in vitamins and have a delicate taste. If the zucchini is overripe, it becomes unsuitable for cooking, since the layer of pulp becomes thinner, and the entire middle is occupied by coarse seeds.
Cook. An early ripening variety with a yield of 10 kg per 1 square meter. Ripening lasts 40–43 days. The fruits are characterized by a light green color and juicy pulp. It is grown by direct sowing in the ground, as well as seedlings. The maximum weight of the fruit does not exceed 300 g. The seeds germinate best at a temperature of 25–30 degrees.

Nuances of agricultural technology

It is customary to grow round zucchini using two technologies:

seedling method;
direct sowing into the ground.

The plant is heat-loving, so it is better to provide it with comfortable conditions. To get high-quality seedlings, round zucchini seeds are sown in April. Experienced gardeners compare their actions with the lunar sowing calendar. Some consider the germination procedure mandatory. This will shorten the time before germination. For seedlings of round zucchini, prepare containers with fertile soil and provide the necessary heat and lighting. As soon as the shoots appear, you can plant the seedlings in open ground within two weeks. This technology will make it possible to harvest round zucchini earlier, but the fruits will be unsuitable for storage. They will need to be used as they mature.

You will have to sow round zucchini seeds into the ground a little later. It is necessary for the earth to warm up and the threat of frost to pass. The seedlings of round zucchini will withstand the cold, but the frost will immediately destroy the tender sprouts. The main period is the end of May or the beginning of June. With this technology, you will have to immediately take into account the planting scheme so as not to remove the plants later for thinning. Round squashes are semi-vining plants, so they need to have plenty of room to grow.

The soil is fertilized and loosened. Seeds are sown to a depth of no more than 5 cm. In the future, the plants require timely watering and fertilizing. Zucchini has a large leaf mass, so it needs additional nutrition.

Attention! Round zucchini plants are not pinched, but during the flowering period 2-3 large leaves are removed to improve lighting. This also prevents the zucchini bushes from rotting.

It is necessary to inspect plants to prevent diseases or pest attacks. Things to watch out for:

bacteriosis;
powdery rose;
root rot.

The main pests of round zucchini are cutworms and slugs.

Attention! When treating diseases or controlling pests, strictly adhere to the dosage and safety rules.

Hybrids

Zucchini hybrids are suitable for canning, squash caviar and all types of culinary processing. Hybrids include the following varieties:

Burzhunin F An early ripening variety, the ripening period is 45 days. The bush is characterized by power and abundance of flowers. The variety has good yield, marketable appearance and round fruits. Zucchini is dark green and weighs up to 3 kg. The variety is suitable for growing in greenhouses and open ground. The optimal sowing time is May. The variety needs proper watering, nutrition, temperature and lighting. The yield is 10 kg per 1 square meter.
Festival F A hybrid variety with a decorative appearance and excellent taste. The diameter of the fruit reaches 15 cm. The surface of the zucchini is covered with white-green stripes, where the green color is replaced by yellow as it ripens. The culture is perfectly stored (up to 1 year) without loss of taste. It is also worth noting the attractive appearance of the variety.

Late varieties

Ripeness of late crops occurs in 60-120 days. The countdown starts from the moment two leaves appear from the seeds. Plants are unpretentious. The fruits are well stored all winter.

The berries can be eaten until the next harvest. What late varieties of round-shaped zucchini are in demand by gardeners?

More on the topic: How to grow Ezra zucchini?

Festival

Festival zucchini is another hybrid variety with elegant berries. The surface of the fruit is ribbed. The ribs are deep and frequently spotted with white. The main surface is pale yellow. The area near the nose is dark green.

Young zucchini is used for culinary purposes; mature berries are used to decorate home interiors, gazebos, and verandas. They are stored well at a temperature of 18 C:

medium spreading bush. The leaves are dark green. The plant has increased immunity. Usually does not require fertilizing. Traditional crop care;
The berries can be eaten when they have reached 15 cm in diameter. Their weight is 300 g. Mature fruits grow up to 25 cm and can weigh 1.5 kg;
yield 20 pcs. from one plant.

Zucchini Festival

Festival-grade squashes love warmth. They bear fruit well at 20-25 C. The crop is grown on fertile soil. Before sowing, the soil is sprayed with the preparation “Zdraven”.

Foreign varieties

Foreign varieties include:

Tondo di Piacenza. Mid-season variety originally from Italy. It takes 50 days to mature. Designed for sowing in open ground. Unripe fruits with a diameter of 10 cm have a special taste. They can be eaten fresh.
Ronde de Nice. An early ripening native of France. It takes 40 days to ripen. The fruits are light green in color with thin skin and a diameter of 12–15 cm. In order for the yield to be high, the first fruits should be picked as early as possible. Unripe fruits are best suited for cooking.

Hybrid varieties

Hybrids of round zucchini produce an excellent harvest even in difficult weather conditions. Thanks to available care methods, summer residents collect about 8-12 kg of tasty zucchini from 1 square meter. m. Let's take a closer look at the description of hybrid varieties.

Burzhuin F1

An early ripening hybrid ripens in 45-50 days. The weight of one zucchini is about 2-3 kg, it has a ribbed shape and a rich dark green color.

To obtain a rich harvest at the seedling stage, it is recommended to use growth stimulants. For example, the drug “Zircon” is recognized as an excellent remedy. Treatment with it increases the overall germination of seeds and accelerates their development. Use Zircon strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, otherwise the stimulant will only do harm.

Bourgeois F1 is highly valued in cooking. For example, a cheese and zucchini appetizer will decorate any holiday table. To do this, zucchini is cut into thin long slices, in which cream cheese with garlic and a mixture of Provençal herbs are wrapped. The resulting rolls are fried in a frying pan and decorated with mint. This snack is not only tasty, but also healthy.

F1 Festival

These are round zucchini weighing about 600 g and with a diameter of 15 cm. Externally, the Festival resembles a pumpkin. The vegetable got its name for its unusual colors of green, black and white. The pulp is orange, suitable for any dishes. The variety can be planted directly in open ground. Vegetables are stored well, the yield is friendly.

To get a rich harvest, do not forget to loosen the beds in time. This provides the plant with access to oxygen, making the stems even stronger and more developed.

Loosening is especially important before watering or fertilizing. In addition, remove weeds. She lives off the nutrition of zucchini, taking the lion's share of vitamins.

Soil preparation

Before planting, prepare the soil: fertilize with humus, sawdust or peat, add a little mineral fertilizer (wood ash or superphosphate). The area for zucchini is well dug up and cleared of all kinds of weeds and beetle larvae.

Depending on the variety of zucchini, the seeds are sown in open ground or planted as seedlings.

Growing and care

Round zucchini are usually not too fussy to care for, but they need good lighting and love warmth. If all the nuances of agricultural technology are observed, even a novice gardener can grow them on the plot. Planting in open ground is carried out using seeds or seedlings. In this case, you need to properly prepare the soil, and plant seeds and seedlings according to certain rules. Let's take a closer look at these stages of growing a plant.

Important! Small zucchini weighing about 300 have the most tender pulp.

–
400 g.

Soil preparation

The success of growing this variety largely depends on proper soil preparation. For better results, you can buy ready-made soil for zucchini in the store.

Or you can prepare it yourself using equal amounts of the following ingredients:

turf land;
peat;
manure or humus;
rotted sawdust;
coarse sand.

If planting vegetables will be carried out in seedlings, then the soil for growing seedlings must be frozen for 1–2 months.
To do this, you can take it out onto the balcony or veranda. 7 days before planting seeds for seedlings, the soil should be placed in a warm room so that it thaws. When growing round zucchini by seed, the soil on the site also needs to be prepared in advance:

In autumn and spring you need to dig up the garden.
Apply fertilizer twice with humus or any complex fertilizer.
If the soil on the site has a high level of acidity, it is recommended to add lime before the onset of winter.
To disinfect the soil before planting, water it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Did you know? Due to the nutritional properties of zucchini juice, it is used in the manufacture of tonic face masks.

Planting from seeds

Sowing seeds of round zucchini in open ground is carried out after the soil on the site has warmed up to a temperature of +12°C at a depth of at least 10 cm. Thus, the timing of planting vegetables in this case falls on the end of May or the beginning of June.

Step-by-step instructions are described below:

Make small holes 3–5 cm deep on the soil surface. The distance between rows and adjacent holes must be at least 80 cm.
Place flat zucchini seeds among the holes. You should not bury them too deeply in the ground, because in this case they will not germinate.
Cover each hole with soil and water a little.
The first shoots appear about a week after planting. After this, the soil around them must be periodically loosened and the plants must be watered in a timely manner.

Video: planting zucchini seeds

Planting seedlings

Growing seedlings of round zucchini indoors will have a positive effect on the ripening time of vegetables and will allow you to get an early harvest. But fruits grown from seedlings cannot be stored for a long time and quickly deteriorate, so this growing method is used only when the vegetables are planned to be used immediately after ripening. Young zucchini seedlings are grown indoors from seeds. Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out in April.

You might be interested to know what the difference is between zucchini and zucchini.

Step-by-step instructions for planting round zucchini in seedlings are presented below:

It is recommended to take a separate small container for each seedling bush. Place a layer of sphagnum moss at the bottom for drainage, then fill the container with prepared soil.
Deepen the planting material into the soil by 4 cm. You can plant 2 seeds in each container to increase the likelihood of germination.
Sprinkle the soil with the seeds with water, cover the container with film and place in a well-lit, warm place for germination.
After the sprouts appear, the film can be removed and the container kept in a well-lit place. This will promote the growth of seedlings.
If 2 sprouts have grown in one container, then it is recommended to remove one of them. You need to water the seedlings once a week with water at room temperature.
Planting of seedlings in open ground is carried out after a pair of green leaves appear on them and provided there are no night frosts on the ground surface.
Planting sprouts in open ground is done in the evening or in cloudy weather so that it does not wither under the bright sun.
Make small holes in the soil and water them with water.
Remove the seedling from the container along with the earthen lump and place it in the hole. Sprinkle the roots with soil and lightly compact it around the seedling.
To prevent young sprouts from freezing, they are covered with film for the first few days. During the day, the shelter can be raised if the weather is quite hot.

Video: planting zucchini seedlings

Irrigation scheme

Round zucchini requires a lot of water to grow well, but the plant tolerates a lack of moisture better than its excess.

When watering plants, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

watering is carried out in the evening, 1 or 2 times a week, depending on weather conditions;
10–12 liters of water are consumed per bush;
For irrigation, you can use settled water with a temperature of at least +22°C;
water the bushes at the roots so that water does not get on the foliage and inflorescences;
After watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil around the bush a little.

Important! Overmoistening the soil around the bushes can lead to rotting of the root system.

Round zucchini has a number of positive characteristics and is easy to care for, which is why they are often grown in summer cottages. The variety of varieties allows you to choose a vegetable to suit your taste, and following the described growing recommendations will help you get a bountiful harvest.

Planting from seeds

For open sowing, holes are made up to 5 cm deep, at a distance of 70 cm from each other . 2–4 seeds are planted in each hole. If several seeds germinate at once, only one shoot is left.

You can speed up the process of seed germination by soaking them in mineral fertilizers or a growth stimulant solution.

Selecting a location

Zucchini cannot be planted where plants of the Cucurbitaceae family previously grew. You need to let the soil rest for at least 36 months.

Sunny

Don't forget that zucchini loves light, so they need to be planted in sunny places. The more sunlight the bushes receive, the sooner you can harvest. Zucchini is quite frost-resistant, but it is still recommended to plant them in areas that are protected from wind gusts.

Soil selection and preparation

Zucchini can be planted in the following types of soil:

clayey;
loamy;
peat;
sandy;
black soil

Before planting, the land is prepared. Humus, sawdust or peat, and minerals are added to it. They dig up the earth, clear it of weeds and insect larvae.

Landing dates

Squash seedlings are transferred to the garden when cold weather is no longer expected. It is best to plant in May. If zucchini grows in greenhouse conditions, seedlings are planted in early March.

Open ground planting scheme

When planting in the garden, you need to create depressions (up to 50 millimeters), at a distance of 0.7 meters from one another. Place 3 seeds in each hole. If several seeds sprout at once, only 1 shoot should be left.

After placing the seeds in the recesses, sprinkle them with soil and lightly compact them. To speed up growth, seeds are soaked in mineral fertilizers or a special solution before planting.

Planting seedlings

To obtain an earlier harvest, seedlings are prepared. To do this, seeds are sown in pots with soil 1 month before planting in the ground. Seedlings need to be fertilized with mullein solution or minerals. If the soil is of poor quality, it is necessary to fertilize 2 times. The seedlings are planted in pre-prepared soil along with a lump of earth, this will prevent damage to the roots.

Round zucchini

“Kolobok” can be harvested from the beds already 1.5 months after planting the sprouts in open ground. Grows well both in the shade and in the sun. The vegetable bushes are compact and do not require planting at a great distance from each other if they are located in the light. When the zucchini grows in the shade, it is necessary to give the bushes more space, since the round zucchini will begin to throw out long vines that will spread along the ground. It is unique in that it is not susceptible to disease.

"Tintoretto" refers to a variety of early-ripening round zucchini. Ripens in 50 days and reaches a weight of up to 2.2 kg. During growth and ripening, the fruit gradually changes its color, turning from a greenish round vegetable into a ball with yellow splashes. The peculiarity of the variety is considered to be:

original form;
high productivity;
resistance to damage during transportation;
high taste qualities;
possibility for long-term storage.

The seeds of the Tintoretto variety are quite large. They are planted 5-6 cm deep into the hole, following a 70x70 planting pattern. Zucchini is planted in open ground at the end of May and the beginning of June, and in mid-July it is already possible to take photos of the harvest.

Variety "Spaghetti"

Features of harvesting round zucchini

Round zucchini is an early-ripening vegetable and is ready for harvest on average 45-50 days after planting. It is one of the most prolific vegetables. And the more fruits you collect from the bush, the more ovaries it will produce. Therefore, regular harvesting is very important for zucchini.

Once pollination occurs and the fruit begins to form, it will be ready for harvest in just four to six days. Fruit size is the best indicator of readiness for harvest. It is best to pick young fruits up to 10 centimeters in diameter. This ensures that the squash is not overripe, bland, or gross. Every day the fruit gains about 2.5 centimeters, as a result of which a perfectly sized zucchini can turn into an overgrown one in just a couple of days.

Fully ripened fruits of spherical zucchini can also be eaten, but it will have to be cut like a pumpkin, selecting the seeds from the core, and the pulp will not be so elastic and juicy. Even if the fruits are too ripe, it is recommended to still remove them from the plant to stimulate the appearance of new ovaries.

NOT PUMPKINS, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE ROUND

The first thing that comes to mind is a comparison with pumpkins, because the family is the same. But you can’t confuse them, since the differences are considerable.

The pulp of zucchini is mostly white and fresh, while pumpkins are yellow or orange, with a rich taste, often sweet. The seed cavity of a zucchini is dense, while that of a pumpkin is loose. The skin of a zucchini is more tender, while a pumpkin has a durable shell.

It is better to eat zucchini small, unripe and with the peel; with pumpkins it’s exactly the opposite. The pumpkin has branched powerful vines, sometimes several meters long, and round leaves. And zucchini are compact bushes with short vines and large, showy paw-shaped leaves.

If we talk about benefits and nutritional value, perhaps pumpkin has no competition here, although zucchini also has vitamins and healing properties. But pumpkin will give any vegetable a head start in terms of these properties. Pumpkin seeds are a separate medicinal delicacy, which cannot be said about zucchini.

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Care

Zucchini is a cold-resistant plant. They normally tolerate cold temperatures down to 6 degrees, but die at zero temperatures. The best temperature for bushes is from 20 to 25 degrees. To prevent freezing, the bushes can be covered with film.

Watering

It is necessary to irrigate the beds rarely, but abundantly. It is recommended to water the plants once every 10 days. The water should not be icy, otherwise the bushes will be damaged. When the plants begin to bear fruit, you need to double the amount of water for irrigation. 7 days before harvesting the fruits, the beds stop irrigating. This is done to improve the taste characteristics of zucchini.