Description

BLACK BEAUTY ZUCCHINI (Cucurbita pepo) is a vintage compact spiny everbearing heirloom bush summer squash. Long cylindrical dark green to almost black fruits are best eaten when 6-8" long. Excellent variety for freezing, so make up small casseroles for the winter! This is a tried and true variety. 44-64 days. 10 seeds.

GROWING TIPS: Popular summer and winter squash have basically the same growth requirements. They are all heavy feeders requiring rich composted soil and specific organic amendments depending on type. Gardeners all have their "secret recipes" for squashes - everything from beer to milk to who knows what! It is fun to experiment! Wait until the soil is warm to plant seeds, or transplants. Once established, the winter squash will remain productive until cooler weather sets in. In fact, you can successfully grow squash right in your compost pile! Be on the lookout for squash borers! They enter the vine at the soil line and leave a pile of "crumbs". They will decimate your plants, so when you see evidence of them, use a knife to slit the vine until you find them, remove and crush them, then use sarah wrap to close the vine and bury the vine up to a point where it is whole. It will root again at the point and you should be fine. Most winter squashes are large, vining plants that require lots of room to grow. Fruit are harvested when they are mature and have hard rinds. Winter squash fruit can be stored in a cool, dry location for 1 to 6 months.