The Black Beauty Zucchini ( Cucurbita pepo ) is both an early and heavy fruiter, making it one of the best dark skinned producers. It is an heirloom variety that has been around since the early to mid 1900’s and has a great flavour. The Black Beauty Zucchini grows in a bush form and is easy to grow.
Zucchini’s are packed with nutrition and also have a huge range of health benefits, well worth adding to your vegetable garden this Spring/Summer. Zucchini can be cooked and served so many ways, that there is usually a recipe for everyone’s taste buds – not many people will knock back a piece of Zucchini slice after they’ve first tasted it.
Growth
The plant of the Black Beauty Zucchini is annual and grows in the form of a bush, getting to a height and width of 60 cm to 1 metre (2-3 feet). From seed to harvest is usually about 50 days, this variety is best harvested early for best flavour when they are 4-6 inches long. The variety is quite a prolific fruiter and harvesting will encourage further flowering and of course fruit. The skin of the black beauty eggplant is dark green with white flesh inside. Its flowers are yellow and are also edible, along with the leaves and young shoots. Remember not to harvest too many flowers though because otherwise you won’t have fruit!
Zucchini likes a well-draining soil that is nutrient rich but don’t fruit as well if over fertilised. A full sun position is preferred or a spot with a minimum of 6 hours of full sun each day. The seeds can be direct sown or started in pots, starting indoor 4-6 weeks prior to last frosts can expand the growing time.
Can be grown in pots/containers.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Cucurbitaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub Tropical & Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
15 to 35°C / 60 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Compost rich, well-draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 1 metre (3 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1 metre (3 feet)
pH:
6.0-6.8
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium – will need extra water during warmer weather.
POLLINATION:
Bees, Insects. Monoecious
MATURITY:
Approximately 50 days
GERMINATION RATES:
85-95% (See Germination Instructions)
GERMINATION TIME:
1-2 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 8-10 seeds
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Store a 4°C (fridge) for 5 years.
FACTS ABOUT CUCURBITA PEPO (Black Beauty Zucchini)
Zucchini is technically a fruit, although it is generally cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Dark skinned varieties of Zucchini have more nutritional benefits than the lighter green skinned types.
The zucchini fruit is called a Baby Marrow or Courgette in some countries.
