Zucchini – Black Beauty Squash

About Black Beauty Squash

By far one of the most beautiful vegetables ever! The Black Beauty Squash earns its name with dark glossy green leaves growing as large as 12 inches across and bright beautiful yellow flowers known to grow up to 6″ across.   The fruit is no slacker either with its dark green skin and creamy white flesh it’s what I like to call a Forest Gump vegetable.  You can fry it, boil it, steam it, bake it, grill it, put it on a burger, put it in a casserole, make bread out of it and freeze it to have it all again later!

Its only down side is that morning is the only time those beautiful flowers show themselves.  This of course just gives us the perfect reason to take that cup of coffee and wander to the garden for a look (as if we needed another one!).

How to Grow

The Black Beauty is a hybrid plant and according to Bonnie Plants started in 1957.  It is a part of the cucurbita pepo family which includes acorns, pumpkins, gourds, crook neck squash, cocozelle, scallops and marrow.  Growing this zucchini is not difficult.  It needs consistent but not over watering with well-drained soil and full sun.

• Soak the seeds in water for about 30 minutes. 
• Start indoors three to four weeks ahead of time or sow it straight in the ground once the soil temperatures reach at least 70 degrees.
• Pick fruit when it is about 6-8″ long.  You can grow it longer however the uses decline as the seeds get large and the flesh is not as soft.

Tips

• These babies need full sun up to six hours. However, as with other full sun plants if you’re in the South don’t make the mistake of thinking it will take your 100 degree days; it won’t!  Plan accordingly and have some partial shade in the afternoon to help it out.
• My Zucchini has done well with good compost to get it going and a bit of Epsom salt and coffee grinds mixed in with the soil monthly.
• Zucchini is subject to power mildew so avoid watering the leaves of this plant; water from below.
• Check daily for fruit!  Watch for them!  these critters can hide on you under those big leaves and before you know it you have a monster on your hands.

Humans are not the only ones to love Zucchini; and, more than one Gardner (myself included) has been brought to tears over two of its arch enemies the    Squash Vine Borers and Squash bugs.  Be on the lookout for these insects and plan for quick action on managing them.  Natural plant companions that also act as repellents  to the bugs and borers include:

• Radishes (Iceberg Radishes especially)
• Parsley
• Nasturtiums
• Peppermint

Other Companion Plants Include

• Corn
• Beans
• Beets
• Lettuce
• Lovage
• Peppers
• Spinach
• Squash
• Tomatoes
• Do NOT grow with Potatoes!