- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
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Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 55 days
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Type: Zucchini, Bush Squash, Summer Squash (Learn more)
Native: North America
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: Compact vines form a 2' tall by 3'–4' bush-type plant.
Variety Info: 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.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 70°–85°F.
When to Start Inside: 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.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: ½"–1"
Seed Spacing: 2–3 seeds per mound
Row Spacing: 3'–4'
Thinning: When 3 leaves, thin to 1 plant per mound
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
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).
- Wyn G.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/5/25Garden Gold
Black Beauty summer squash has completely won me over this season. I started the seeds indoors, and they germinated fast and well, one of the best starts I've had in the garden. Transplanting was a breeze, and every seedling took off like it had somewhere to be. I planted them in mounds here in Zone 6a, and wow, are they thriving! The plants were vigorous from the start; fast-growing, resilient, and impressively productive. Week after week, I have picked uniform fruits with minimal fuss. If you’re looking for a summer squash that checks every box, quick germination, strong transplants, aesthetic appeal, and reliable harvest, Black Beauty is a garden gem. I’ll absolutely be growing it again next year!
Which best describes you as a gardener? ExpertBIBotanical Interests8/12/25Hey Wyn G.,
Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic experience with our Black Beauty Summer Squash Seeds! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that these beauties have completely won you over this season and that you've had such incredible success from the very start. It sounds like you really nailed the growing process - from those fast germinating seeds indoors to those vigorous transplants that took off like they had somewhere to be! We love that you've been getting those perfect uniform harvests week after week in your Zone 6a garden. There's nothing quite like finding that perfect summer squash variety that just delivers on every level, and it sounds like Black Beauty has become your new garden gem! We're so excited that you're already planning to grow them again next year. Keep on growing 🌻️
- JulieVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars7/26/25They produce non-stop!
Great zucchini variety and I especially like that it doesn't have the spiny stems that hurt when harvesting! I tend to harvest every Saturday morning but this plant grows SO fast, I think I need to harvest twice a week. The group veggie photo shows the size of today's zucchini - the weekend before, it was probably 4" long. I also love that it grows upright and not sprawling all over the place, taking up too much space in my garden bed. You can see in the other photo that I let one go too long! It made five loaves of zucchini bread LOL
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests7/30/25Hey Julie,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and photos! We're absolutely thrilled that the Black Beauty Summer Squash is producing so abundantly for you - what a wonderful problem to have! We love hearing that the upright growing habit is working so well in your garden space. Thanks for the chuckle about the one that got away and turned into five loaves of zucchini bread - that's definitely the silver lining of a missed harvest! Your success story will definitely help other gardeners know what to expect from this variety. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Deanna H.Verified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars4/29/251 Star
The germination rate I got on the seeds was like 10%, I had to use the whole packet and still I only have 1 zucchini plant that is really taking off when zucchini is usually easy to grow
BIBotanical Interests4/29/25Hey Deanna,
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 🌻️
- Greg D.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars2/20/255 Stars
Always get great results with your seeds waiting for spring!!!!
- A B N.Verified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars10/6/241 Star
The black beauty squash seeds germinated but the plant did not produce any squash.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Expert