Is it possible to plant squash and pumpkin nearby?

For many centuries in Russia, one of the most cultivated crops are melons, such as pumpkin and zucchini. This is no accident, because they abound in many vitamins and minerals.Such vegetables contribute to the treatment of many diseases.

However, now far from all gardeners who want to grow a zucchini or pumpkin, have large land resources, so they have to accommodate a lot of plants in one area the size of a couple of hundred square meters. To do this as efficiently as possible, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of their cultivation, and most importantly, the way they coexist with other plants.

In order to correctly approach the issue of cultivation, you need to understand the main features of the cultivation of these crops. Both the pumpkin and the zucchini are heat-loving plants. Therefore, their seeds germinate best at a temperature of + 20-25 ° C. These plants are especially sensitive to transplantation. And in order not to damage the immature root system, use peat pots for seedlings. Thus, the plant will receive the minimum stress or will not notice the transplant at all.

They like to grow gourds in a warm soil, so if the breeding takes place in more northern regions, then a compost heap is harvested for plants. It warms itself through incessant internal processes. Compost is sprinkled on top of the earth, and in the resulting beds, melons warm up well and receive additional food.

When growing pumpkins and zucchini, you need to pay attention to the planting pattern. Both cultures need a large area for growth. Planting these varieties in close proximity is not the best solution. In the "battle for resources," both plants will lose, and ultimately the farmer. Therefore, planting plants at a comfortable distance from each other - and this is 1-4 meters, you can solve this problem. But this does not eliminate another threat.

Pumpkin and zucchini are related cultures. Therefore, even with a slight wind, successful pollination will occur. The results of such a cross will be unpredictable. By the time of harvest, instead of a large round pumpkin in your garden will show off an oblong vegetable of smaller sizes. To taste, it is likely to be the same pumpkin, but already lost its sweetness and presentation. And the zucchini will completely lose its individuality and will inherit the features of the dominant pumpkin.

In fairness it should be noted that there is information from actively practicing gardeners that it is not always possible to expect hybrids with the joint cultivation of pumpkin and zucchini. But having far-reaching plans for the cultivation of culture, you must take into account that the opinions of specialists are unequivocal. If cross-pollination does not spoil the forthcoming fruits, then it will certainly be reflected in the next offspring.

Knowing the peculiarities of cultivation, a natural question arises, how to provide a neighborhood that will not adversely affect the crop.

To get started is to take care of the space surrounding the pumpkin or zucchini. Gourds, which include these two cultures, do not like active winds. Therefore, in this case, corn and sunflower will be good neighbors, since both of these plants can serve as a reliable natural barrier to strong winds. But in this neighborhood should take into account the peculiarities of the soil.Since in a poor ground such a tandem will start to clash for resources rather than bring benefits.

Once the problem with the wind has been solved, you can proceed to the arrangement of the internal space in the beds. Given the close relationship of pumpkin and zucchini, we can conclude that the dangers that await them are similar.

Tomatoes planted in close proximity to melons will not only delight the red berries, but also help prevent the onslaught of pests such as the sawfly, aphid and fire rape. Tomatoes owe this characteristic to their specific smell. A black radish, thanks to the deeply-rooted root system, will not enter into competition for resources with a pumpkin or zucchini. On the contrary, it will secrete beneficial phytoncides that will scare the spider mite away from both the radish itself and the plants surrounding it.

Also, legumes, such as peas or beans, will turn out to be a no less useful neighborhood. They will gain strength and rush up to the sun much earlier than melon leaves will shade all the space around. True, it is worth taking care of the opposite. It is not necessary to build high tapestries for peas and beans, which will eventually cast a shadow on all the lower plantings. In addition, it is worth mentioning the positive contribution of legumes to the composition of the soil, because the by-product of their vital activity is the excretion of nitrogen into the soil. He, in turn, is extremely necessary for other plants for a set of green mass of foliage.

In addition to useful neighbors for a pumpkin or zucchini, there are such plants, the cultivation of which next to them will help to more rationally use the existing piece of land. Radishes are good for this role, winter crops - onions, garlic. In addition, these crops growers recommend using as precursors for melons. Green plants are also loyal to the neighborhood - for example, dill, parsley or leaf lettuce. In general, this includes all those crops that have time to give a harvest before the pumpkin or zucchini begin to grow, taking more and more space.

Most gardeners still do not recommend planting pumpkins and squash together, especially if you grow melons for production or for sale. It is a good idea to distinguish between cultures using large embankments or buildings.

On the other hand, some gardeners have already had the experience of planting such products on the same area. They argue that the harvest will not suffer if the branches of crops look in different directions. But do not forget about the direction of the wind - it may happen that an impetuous squall will turn all the shoots in one direction.

How to plant squash and pumpkin, see the following video.