Cucurbitaceae · Cucurbita pepo
First introduced in the 1920s, 'Black Beauty' is a reliable heirloom with a higher yield than the standard hybrid 'Black Jack'. An early season courgette with crisp white flesh and rich emerald green skin, the more you pick, the more it will produce.
Common Problems: Aphids, Fruit not setting, Possums, Birds, Powdery mildew
Fruit is ready to harvest when the skin is glossy and the fruit is large enough to eat. Harvest fruit when tender and young as older fruit can become unpalatable. Harvest fruit by cutting it from the vine or bush, leaving a small amount of stem attached. For short term storage, harvested fruit can be kept in the fridge. For long term storage, fruit can be frozen, canned or pickled.