Black Beauty Zucchini Squash, 1957 variety, Organic

For nearly seven decades, Black Beauty has reigned as the premier choice for homesteaders, market gardeners, and home cooks seeking early, dependable, and bountiful summer harvests.

• Exceptional Culinary Texture: Harvested young at 6 to 8 inches, the skin is tender and delicate—never requiring peeling—while the interior is firm, fine-grained, and deliciously mild. It cooks down without turning watery or mushy.
• Prolific Bush Habit: Unlike sprawling winter squash, Black Beauty grows in a tidy, upright, semi-compact bush habit that fits neatly into raised beds and smaller backyard garden spaces while keeping the fruits elevated and easy to spot.
• Fast-Maturing & High-Yielding: Ready to pick in as few as 45 to 50 days from seeding, a single healthy plant will continuously set new blooms and fruits from late spring right up until the first autumn freeze.
• Endless Culinary Versatility: Slice it into thick wheels for the grill, sauté it in olive oil with garlic and garden herbs, shred it into moist zucchini breads and chocolate cakes, spiralize it into healthy veggie noodles, or pick the large, edible yellow blossom buds for traditional frying.

"Black Beauty is the undisputed workhorse of the summer garden. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing those huge, golden blossoms open in the morning dew, followed just days later by glossy, dark green zucchinis ready for dinner. It’s early, incredibly dependable, and provides that satisfying, crisp-tender snap that makes summer cooking so effortless and delicious."

• Sowing: Direct sow seeds outdoors 1 inch deep in warm, fertile, well-draining garden soil once all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 70°F. Plant 3–4 seeds per hill, thinning to the 2 strongest plants.
• Sun & Airflow: Choose a location in full sun. Space plants 3 feet apart to ensure adequate air circulation around the bushy foliage, which helps prevent powdery mildew during humid summer weather.
• Harvesting: Check plants daily once production begins. Pick fruits when they are 6 to 8 inches long for optimal tenderness, flavor, and texture. Consistent, frequent picking prevents giant "baseball bats" and keeps the bush actively producing new flower buds all season long.