Among the vegetable crops the squash is the most original in appearance, surprising in its properties, an unusually tasty vegetable. Due to the unusual form, he is increasingly attracting the attention of gardeners. But not only the shape of the squash is amazing, it is also a very useful vegetable, from which you can prepare a lot of original, delicious dishes. With proper care, growing vegetables in the open field does not cause trouble.
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Squash - what is it
Squash - beautiful amazing vegetables, rounded saucer-shaped or bell-shaped (depending on the variety), similar to mini flowers or small umbrellas, belong to the pumpkin family.
According to its properties, taste and agricultural technology very similar to zucchini: bushes and leaves are almost the same, only the shape of the fruit is different. The homeland of culture is America, and in Europe the vegetable has become popular since the 17th century.
Interesting that in the wild this vegetable is not found, is the result of natural selection, hybridization. The culture is thermophilic, but it easily adapts to different climatic conditions and bears fruit well, although the yield is usually lower than that of the closest “relatives” - zucchini.
Squash skin color is very diverse - white, yellow, light green speckled, dark green striped (like a watermelon) and even purple.
The taste is almost like zucchini, but the pulp is more dry and dense, in the finished form to taste like mushrooms. Raw, unlike zucchini and pumpkin, do not use.
The science of the benefits and dangers of the squash
Without a doubt, dish pumpkin is a very useful food product, with delicate and exquisite pulp, which tastes very similar to artichokes.
Vegetable indispensable in the diet, improves the bowels, kidneys and urinary system, does not harm the body. The fruits contain a huge amount of vitamins, pectin, sugars in the complete absence of fat and cholesterol. it the most low-calorie vegetable - 18 kcal / 100 g of the product.
As you know, the acidic environment is very harmful to the body - a person cannot survive if the internal environment of the body is acidic. First of all, the thyroid gland, liver and adrenal glands will begin to break down. So for patients with similar problems, the benefit of the squash is difficult to overestimate.
The composition of the fruits of vegetables, in addition to water, includes proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, mono - and disaccharides, organic acids, ash substances, pectins, vitamins B, C, A, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and iron. Potassium, magnesium, vitamins C and A - essential nutrients that the cardiovascular system needs.
The whole set of nutrients contained in the scallops has a beneficial effect on the prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, inflammation of the colon and prostate gland, liver and kidney diseases, problems with blood and cardiovascular system, obesity - the list goes on for a long time.
Proper cultivation of vegetables in the country
Such an exotic and useful vegetable crop is simply a sin not to grow on your own vegetable garden, especially since its agricultural technology does not require much effort.
What varieties can be planted in open ground
Currently, there are many hybrid varieties with different ripening periods and yields: universal, for open ground, growing in greenhouses.
For outdoor use, plants are best suited. early and mid-seasonaccording to maturity 40-45 and 50-60 days since the first shoots shoot.
- White 13 - variety with developed, strong bushes, white fruits, mid-season. Productivity - up to 3.5 kg of young fruits of universal purpose. One of the best varieties for cultivation in open soils.
- Sun - high-yielding variety, compact bush, fruits of yellow-orange color, ripening period - 58-70 days, well kept, the plant is resistant to diseases.
- UFO White - white fruits in the form of a bell, ripen in 55-65-days, the flesh is very delicate, amazing taste.
- UFO Orange - early ripening - 40-45 days, high-yielding - up to 30 fruits weighing 400-500 g per season, beautiful yellow color.
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- White 13
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- Sun
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- UFO White
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- UFO Orange
Seed planting preparation
You can plant seeds directly into the soil or apply a seedling method. In any case, the seeds must be prepared for planting:
- use seed 2-3 years old, well dried; raw seeds or harvested a year earlier most often produce male flowers;
- soak the seed in a solution of potassium permanganate for 15-20 minutes, then wash and dry;
- after 2 days, soak the seeds in a solution of boric acid for a day, wash, dry.
These activities help to increase the germination and endurance of seeds. Immediately before sowing, you can soak them in the water for swelling (so they are more likely to be hiked).
Soil preparation and planting scheme
Squash love neutral soilstherefore it is better to apply organic fertilizers, ashes. Place for planting choose the right - sunny, open, seeds or seedlings planted according to the scheme 70x70 cmto avoid rotting of the fruit on the bushes.
Care
If the seeds of patissons are planted directly in the ground at the cottage, then 3-4 grains are put into each well, buried in depth 8 cmCover with soil, gently moisten the top layer. Before the emergence of seedlings bed can be covered with a film.
When sprouts appear, in each well you need choose some of the most powerful and developed, and the rest cut off at the root. Do not pull out so as not to damage the root system of the remaining sprout.
To get the crop 2-3 weeks earlier, in late April - early May, seeds should be planted in seedlings in plastic cups or containers with drainage holes. In a pre-prepared, fertilized soil, seeds are sown to a depth of 4 cm, slightly moistened, covered with film and put in a warm place - in the afternoon temperature +25, at night - +18.
When shoots appear, the film is removed, the temperature is slightly lowered (+ 16- + 18) so that it does not stretch. A week later, you can again increase to + 22-25. And, of course, provide good coverage.
No need to dive seedlings, so as not to damage the thin roots. Feed 2 times during the growth of mullein and / or mineral fertilizers in accordance with the instructions.
When the seedlings appear 2-3 true sheets (approximately 20-25 days after emergence), the soil is warm enough, can be planted in open ground. Drop the seedlings into a well with an earthy lump, compact the soil around it, pour it gently. Disembarkation is best done in the evening, shade seedlings. Water regularly with warm water during growth and formation of ovaries.
Adult plants to feed complex fertilizer 2 times - before flowering and before the formation of ovaries.
Harvesting
Squash fruit harvesting as you reach technical maturity. The flesh of young fruits is very delicate, although rather dense, suitable for cooking,so for canning.
If the peel has hardened and hardened, it is better to leave this fruit on the seeds and remove it from the bush after drying.
Squashes, thanks to the exotic appearance, delicate and rich taste, rich chemical composition and benefits to the body deserved the general interest and love. This unique vegetable is worthy of being a frequent guest on our table. Plant and grow it pretty easily on any site.