Black Beauty Zucchini
Black Beauty Zucchini is a heirloom squash. Germination takes 7-10 days and fruit ripens from about day 90-100. Skin runs to dark glossy green. Water need is 1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture at soil level. Suits zones 4-11. It will crop in a container.

Sowing
Direct sow after soil reaches 65°F and all danger of frost has passed, or start indoors 2-3 weeks before transplanting.
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hours)
- Water
- 1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture at soil level
- Soil
- Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.5
- Spacing
- 36-48 inches
- Height
- 2-3 feet
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Dark glossy green
- Size
- 1 1/2-2 1/2"
- Shape
- Cylindrical with slight tapering
- Flavour
- Mild, slightly sweet with tender texture when young
In the kitchen
Baking (zucchini bread, muffins), sautéing, grilling, stuffing, spiralizing into noodles, fresh in salads when small
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Squash bugs, cucumber beetles, squash vine borers, aphids
- Diseases
- Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt, squash mosaic virus
- Resistance
- Moderate resistance to common squash diseases
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | — | — | June – August | October – September |
| 3 | — | — | June – July | August – October |
| 4 | — | — | June – July | August – October |
| 5 | — | — | May – June | August – September |
| 6 | — | — | May – June | July – September |
| 7 | — | — | April – June | July – August |
| 8 | — | — | April – May | June – August |
| 9 | — | — | March – April | May – July |
| 10 | — | — | February – April | May – June |
| 11 | — | — | January – March | May – July |
| 12 | — | — | January – March | May – July |
| 13 | — | — | January – March | May – July |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Calories (per 100 g)
- 21
- Protein (g)
- 2.71
- Fat (g)
- 0.4
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 3.11
- Fibre (g)
- 1.1
- Vitamin A (µg)
- 25
- Vitamin C (mg)
- 34.1
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.142
- Folate (µg)
- 20
- Calcium (mg)
- 21
- Iron (mg)
- 0.79
- Magnesium (mg)
- 33
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 93
- Potassium (mg)
- 459
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.83
- Selenium (µg)
- 0.3
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Black Beauty Zucchini?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other squash with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Black Beauty Zucchini suits these too.
- Red Kuri Squash 92 days
- Spaghetti Squash 88 days
- Fordhook Acorn Squash 85 days
- Kabocha Winter Squash 95 days
- Acorn Squash (Table Queen) 85 days
- Delicata Squash 95 days