Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Native
North America
Life Cycle
Annual
Plant Height
Medium (12" - 24")
Further Information
Plant Characteristics
Good for Containers
Growing Conditions
Frost Sensitive
About Black Beauty Summer Squash Seeds
Cucurbita pepo
Best picked at 6"–8" long, has very dark green, shiny thin skin with creamy white interior, introduced to the U.S. in the 1920s.
Planting Squash
Days to Maturity
55 days
Plant Spacing
2–3 seeds per mound
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Medium (12" - 24")
Planting Depth
½"–1"
Planting Details
| Row Spacing | 3'–4' |
|---|---|
| Seed Depth | ½"–1" |
| Seed Spacing | 2–3 seeds per mound |
| Thinning | When 3 leaves, thin to 1 plant per mound |
| Germination | 5–10 days |
| Start Indoors | Not recommended except in very short growing seasons, 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting. Roots are sensitive to disturbance; sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly into the ground. Transplant when soil temperature is at least 60°F. |
| Direct Sow | RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 70°–85°F. |
| Growing & Harvesting | Harvest frequently to increase yield; squash seem to get monstrous overnight. While edible at almost any size, seeds are less developed in young fruit, therefore more tender. Using a knife or clippers, cut squash off including some of the stem. By including stem, the fruit is sealed and less likely to mold or dry out. Harvesting Blossoms: Look for male, non-fruit producing flowers that have long stems and harvest just before use (female flowers have a swollen mini-squash at the base of the flower and are on shorter stems). |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
Total 5 star reviews: 44 Total 4 star reviews: 2 Total 3 star reviews: 2 Total 2 star reviews: 3 Total 1 star reviews: 9
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
60 reviews
- Courtney-Sue S.Verified ReviewerRated 4 out of 5 stars7/14/26Tastes great!
These were quick to germinate at a 100% rate. I'm currently succession planting them. They also taste great! However, my first two plants only grew 2 squash before starting to die off. I can not find any evidence of disease or pests, and I fertilize regularly. I also have them under a 40% shade cloth. These plants normally produce so many squash. Maybe it was the heat wave we had for a few days? I'm glad I have more plants to go in after these because I really like them!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests7/14/26Hey Courtney-Sue,
We're so happy to hear about your fantastic experience with the Black Beauty Summer Squash Seeds! It's awesome that you got a perfect 100% germination rate and that they taste so great - there's nothing better than squash that delivers on both reliability and flavor! We totally understand your concern about those first two plants only producing a couple squash before dying off, and you're probably right about that heat wave being the culprit - even the toughest plants can struggle when extreme temperatures hit! It sounds like you're doing everything right with the succession planting, fertilizing, and shade cloth, so we're excited that you've got more plants ready to go in and keep that delicious harvest coming! Thanks for sharing your Black Beauty growing experience with us! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Dianna G.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars7/1/26Delicious
I was given several packs of these seeds — amazing gift, right?? The pack date was 2025 so I held my breath, not expecting all to germinate. Well, they did, and I’ve been enjoying delicious fresh zucchini fritters for lunch all week.
Just planted another round and the growth is visible despite the intense Tennessee July heat. Very pleased with these seeds!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests7/3/26Hey Dianna,
We're absolutely thrilled to hear about your fantastic success with the Black Beauty Summer Squash Seeds! What an amazing gift indeed - and it sounds like it keeps on giving with all those delicious zucchini fritters you've been enjoying! We love that you got excellent germination despite holding your breath, and it's awesome that your second round is already showing great growth even in that intense Tennessee July heat. There's nothing better than seeds that perform so reliably and deliver such tasty results! Thanks for sharing your squash growing success with us! Keep on growing 🌻️
- KRISTINA S.Verified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars10/19/25Did not sprout
Did not sprout
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests10/28/25Hey KRISTINA,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Lisa M.Verified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars10/10/25Do not buy
Seeds produce a beautiful plant and flowers but the flowers fall off after a few days. Planted 5 squash plants only harvested 2 squash. Botanical were kind enough to send me replacement seeds but unfortunately they did the same thing. Customer service is great seeds not so much.
Which best describes you as a gardener? ExpertBIBotanical Interests10/10/25Hello Lisa,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. I’m sorry to hear your squash plants didn’t produce as well as you hoped, even after replanting. I’m really glad, though, that our customer service team was able to help you out.
When squash flowers bloom beautifully but then fall off, it’s usually due to pollination issues. Squash plants need both male and female flowers to be pollinated, and if bees or other pollinators don’t make the connection, the flowers may drop without forming fruit.
We truly appreciate your support and hope your next round of planting brings a much better yield!
- Allan G.CA, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars10/5/25Easy success
Grew a ton of fruit from just one plant.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised Bed