Zucchini are literally unstoppable at the beginning of summer. They grow quickly, put on new flowers, and gardeners are slowly planning who to distribute the surplus to. But then a few rainy days come and joy is replaced by disappointment.
Zucchini are among the most rewarding vegetables in the garden. When they are successful, they can produce so many fruits in a few weeks that you cannot harvest them. But just at the beginning of summer, when heavy rains alternate with warm weather, an unpleasant problem often appears. they start to turn yellow from the tip, soften and eventually rot.
Watch a video from Ripe Tomato Farm with instructions for making bone meal here:
Many gardeners think that it is a disease or . In reality, the cause is often much simpler. Plants lack enough calcium. This is why some growers reach for bone meal after the rain.
Why do zucchini start to rot?
A typical symptom is browning and softening of the end of the fruit. This problem is referred to as blossom end rot and appears not only in zucchini, but also in tomatoes or peppers.
The cause is usually not a lack of water, but a poor availability of calcium in the plant. Sudden weather fluctuations, heavy rains or irregular watering can worsen the situation.
Bone meal as a natural source of calcium
Bone meal is a traditional organic fertilizer that mainly contains phosphorus and calcium. It is calcium that helps plants create stronger tissues and supports healthy fruit development.
After the rains, gardeners often lightly work it into the soil around the plants. Nutrients are gradually released and can help improve conditions for growth.
The long-term effect is also an advantage, as it is not released all at once like some industrial fertilizers.
How to use it
It is easy to use. Just scatter a small handful of bone meal around the plant and carefully work it into the top layer of soil. After that, it is advisable to water the flower bed.
It is not a product that works overnight, but with regular use it can contribute to healthier growth and better fruit development.
Fertilization alone is not enough
Experts warn that bone meal alone will not always solve the problem.
“Regular watering and efforts to maintain uniform moisture in the soil are also important. It is the sharp alternation of drought and waterlogging that is one of the main reasons why plants cannot use calcium properly,” says experienced gardener Jaroslava Rubešková.
A layer of mulch can also help, which limits the drying out of the soil during hot days.
An old trick that gardeners still use today
Bone meal is one of the traditional helpers that is somewhat forgotten in the age of modern fertilizers. Nevertheless, many experienced growers still use it today.
If soft and rotting fruits regularly appear on your zucchini after rains, supplementing with calcium may be one of the steps to help improve the situation. Sometimes just a handful of the right raw material around the plant is really enough.
