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Zucchini

Black Beauty

Cucurbitaceae

Spacing1 per sq ft
Days to Harvest50d
Expected Yield15-25 fruits per plant

Zucchini

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Variety History

Black Beauty is the standard dark green zucchini introduced in the 1920s. Modern hybrids offer better disease resistance but many gardeners prefer the flavor of open-pollinated varieties.

Regional Context

Zucchini is one of the most reliable warm-season crops for the PNW. One or two plants feed a family with surplus to give away. Black Beauty is a classic, but consider Costata Romanesco (Italian ribbed heirloom with superior flavor and better powdery mildew resistance). Direct sow after May 15 on Bainbridge.

Growing Technique

Direct sow in late May when soil is 65°F+, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting. Plant 1 per sq ft (they sprawl — give them 3-4 sq ft if space allows). Plant in hills: mound soil 6-8" high, 18" wide, with compost worked in. Sow 2-3 seeds per hill, thin to strongest. Water deeply at base, never overhead (wet leaves invite powdery mildew). Harvest at 6-8" for best flavor and texture — check daily in peak season, they grow fast enough to become baseball bats overnight.

Watch For

  • Powdery mildew is inevitable in the PNW by August — plant resistant varieties (Dunja, Emerald Delight) and space plants for airflow. Squash vine borer (not common on Bainbridge yet but spreading north) — watch for sudden wilting and frass at base. Blossom end rot from inconsistent watering — mulch and water on schedule. Miss one day of harvest and find a 3-pound monster hiding under leaves — check every single day in July-August.

Recipes