Eggplant Growing

Filed under: Fruit Vegetables, Tagged as: eggplant, in the garden

Aubergine or eggplant? You’ll find this vegetable under either name in cookbooks. Eggplant is the name used by most American speakers. Aubergine is chiefly a British usage.

Here are the basics for growing eggplant in your kitchen garden: 

Site. Grow eggplant in full sun. In hot regions where the temperature tops 100°F (38°C), it’s best to protect plants with shade covers. Avoid cool locations because eggplant blossoms will drop if temperatures fall below 50°F (10°C). Eggplant is a very tender vegetable that grows best in growing zones 5–12. It will grow as a perennial in growing zones 10 and 11.

Soil. Eggplant prefers light, humus-rich, well-drained, warm soil. If planted in early spring, eggplant grows best in light sandy soils; loam is preferred for later crops. In high rainfall regions or in areas with poor drainage, grow eggplant in raised beds.

Container growing. Eggplant will grow in a container at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep; choose a space-saving variety. Grow eggplant in containers in short season regions where containers will retain heat and can be moved to protected locations when temperatures cool.

Planting. In cold-winter climates, sow eggplant indoors 6–8 weeks before planting out. Transplant eggplant outdoors when the daytime air temperature average at least 70°F (21°C) and night temperatures remain above 55°F (13ºC). In cool regions, use row covers to control the air temperature or warm the soil by covering with black plastic.

Sow eggplant seed ¼ –½ inches (6–12 mm) deep and 3–5 inches (7.5–13 cm) apart. Later thin plants to 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) apart in all directions. In long-season climates, you can make small plantings 4 weeks apart to lengthen the harvest. Eggplant will mature in 100–140 frost-free days from seed; 50–75 frost-free days for transplants.

Watering. Keep the soil around eggplants moist. Soak the soil deeply using water basins around each plant. Poor blossom set and fruit color may be caused by low soil moisture. Use organic compost mulch to keep the soil moist and free of weeds.

Feeding. Eggplants require moderate amounts of nitrogen and high amounts of potassium and phosphorus. Feed eggplant every 3–4 weeks with fish emulsion or compost tea to deliver these nutrients.

Companions. Eggplants grow well with all beans, peas, peppers, potatoes, and southern peas. Avoid growing eggplant with corn, fennel, and tomatoes. Avoid planting eggplants where peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, or other eggplants were grown during the past 2 years.

Pests. Aphids, beetles, cutworms, and other insect pests can attack eggplants. Use row covers to deter insect pests or apply a light dusting of ground limestone to the plants. Place collars around eggplants at the time of transplanting to discourage cutworms.

Diseases. Several viruses and fungi can plague eggplant. Plant resistant varieties, clear debris from the garden, and use a 3-year crop rotation to combat disease.

Harvest. Pick eggplant when shiny, firm, and full-colored. Mature fruit is soft enough that thumb pressure will leave an indentation in the flesh of the fruit. Use shears to clip the fruit with stem attached. Harvest eggplant regularly to encourage further fruiting. Each plant usually produces 3–4 well-developed fruits.

Varieties. Choose from these eggplant types and varieties: ‘Black Beauty’ the classic purple-skinned variety; ‘Dusky’ is purple, and ‘Rosa Bianca’, heirloom with white skin and lavender streaks. There are also many Asian eggplant varieties.

Pictured above is the eggplant Rosa Bianca.

Posted by Stephen Albert on June 13, 2008 under: Fruit Vegetables , Tagged as: eggplant, in the garden
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