VegetableSquash
Black Jade Squash
Black Jade is a sleek hybrid summer squash that brings drama to the garden with its distinctive dark purple skin and tender, mild-flavored flesh. An F1 hybrid within the Cucurbita pepo species, it matures in just 40 to 49 days, making it one of the faster routes to harvest. Hardy across zones 3 through 13 and spreading to a modest 24 to 30 inches tall, Black Jade adapts well to fields, containers, raised beds, and greenhouses. What sets it apart is its dual resistance to both powdery mildew and squash vine borers, two persistent summer squash nemeses that can derail an entire crop.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
30 in
Height
TypeSpreading
Spacing
36
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-13
Size
30in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
This dark purple zucchini hybrid delivers tender flesh with a mild, sweet character that shines whether grilled or sautéed. It resists both powdery mildew and squash vine borers, two of summer squash's most frustrating problems, which means less spraying and more reliable harvests. The compact vine stays manageable in containers or small garden spaces while still producing prolifically, and at 40 to 49 days to maturity, you'll be harvesting before midsummer heat peaks.
Common Uses
Black Jade excels on the grill, where its dark skin chars beautifully and the tender flesh absorbs smoke and char flavors without becoming mushy. It's equally at home sautéed in a hot pan with garlic and olive oil, its mild sweetness allowing other ingredients to shine. The compact size and prolific production make it ideal for fresh eating throughout the season rather than preservation.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Sow seeds 1 inch deep in warm soil with temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Plant after all danger of frost has passed in your zone.
Harvesting
Pick Black Jade when the fruit reaches a slender, tender stage; waiting for massive zucchini means tough skin and seedy flesh. The dark purple color indicates ripeness, and the fruit should yield slightly to thumb pressure when ready. At 40 to 49 days from planting, you'll begin seeing harvestable fruit; check plants every 2 to 3 days during peak production, as these hybrids can quickly grow past their prime eating stage.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucurbita pepo
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucurbita
Growth Habit
Spreading
Native Status
L48 (NI)PR (I)CAN (W)