Black Hawk

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Sink your senses into Black Hawk’s glossy, near-black raspberries—tart-sweet berries with a velvet sheen that looks almost lacquered in the sun.

At maturity, the fruit forms plump, medium-to-large clusters with a juicy, tender texture that’s irresistible for fresh picking and standout preserves. Grow Black Hawk for a bold, dessert-worthy harvest that shines in jams, sauces, and quick pick-me-up compotes, delivering rich flavor from the first ripe canes through the season’s peak.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Shrub

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Hawk’s tart lift and tender, juice-forward texture make it a jam-and-compote machine—fast heat keeps the berry perfume intact while the fruit breaks just enough to thicken. If you’re using it warm, it coats rather than collapses, so it works from spoonable breakfast to sauce gloss without turning watery.

Best Uses

stirred jam with quick-set pectin for a bright, jewel-colored spread
warm compote that clings to pancakes/vanilla yogurt without breaking down
stir-in sauce for roast meats or grilled game to cut richness
freezer-friendly berry preserves with minimal cooking to keep the velvet aroma

Flavor Profile

tart-sweet raspberry tang juicy, tender berry flesh near-black, aromatic berry intensity slight berry-grip with a soft finish

Kitchen Pairings

vanilla bean dark chocolate Greek yogurt whipped cream citrus zest (lemon or lime) ricotta or mascarpone

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage early blight on Black Hawk tomatoes if leaves start getting brown spots?

Early blight on Black Hawk typically shows as brown, target-like spots that expand from the lower leaves upward. Remove and discard affected leaves immediately, then spray with a copper-based fungicide following the label and repeat every 7–10 days during wet periods. Water at the soil line (not overhead) and space plants so leaves dry quickly after rain or irrigation.

How often should I water Black Hawk tomatoes during peak growth so I avoid blossom-end rot and splitting?

During the main growing phase (after flowering starts), water deeply about 1–2 times per week, soaking the root zone, and aim for consistently moist—not soggy—soil. Check by pushing a finger 2–3 inches down: if it’s dry at that depth, water; if it’s still damp, wait. Irregular watering (letting it dry out then soaking) is a common trigger for fruit cracking in Black Hawk, so keep moisture steady.

When is Black Hawk ready to harvest and how can I tell it’s fully ripe?

Black Hawk is ready at about 75 days when fruits reach their final dark, near-black color and the skin looks glossy and firm. Gently press near the blossom end—ripe fruit should give slightly without feeling mushy. Harvest regularly once ripening starts to keep plants producing new fruit.