Summer squash are bush-type plants whose fruits are harvested when they’re tender and immature. Summer squash usually are separated into yellow, straight, or crookneck varieties; green zucchini varieties; or green-, white-, or yellow-skinned, scallop-shaped fruits. Summer squash usually mature within two months of planting and continue to produce all season long. Summer squash don’t store well, however. Following are good summer squash varieties to try:

• ‘Black Zucchini’: Standard zucchini-type variety produces tons of dark green, slender fruits on bush plants. Matures in 53 days.

• ‘Butterbar’: Hybrid, straightneck, yellow summer squash produces tons of golden-yellow fruits that mature in 49 days.

• ‘Cocozelle’: Italian heirloom zucchini has green and white stripes and a good flavor.

• ‘Sunburst’: Hybrid, yellow-skinned, summer squash has tender, scallop-shaped fruits that take 50 days to mature.