Growing Eggplant

The Most Underrated Vegetable in the Garden!

Successfully Grow Eggplants

Eggplants are native to South Asia and China and have been in cultivation for thousands of years. By the 1800’s, white, purple, green and striped varieties were adapted and grown around the world.

Eggplants are in the nightshade family and grow much like peppers. They usually take around 8 weeks to grow large enough from seed to plant outside in the garden. All of our eggplant transplants are at least 8 weeks old. They are sensitive to cold weather so planting time is crucial to a successful crop. Ideally, daytime and nightime temperatures should be above 60 degrees F. If temperatures drop below 50 degrees, small plants can become stunted for the rest of the season. Mulching at the base of the plant and using row covers can help keep the plant happy if cold weather unexpectedly hits.

Provide consistant irrigation everyday or every other day when the plants are young to help the roots establish. Once established, waterings can be reduced to 2-3 deep waterings per week. Drip irrigation around the base of the plant is ideal. 30 minutes to an hour of drip should be sufficient depending on soil type and location.

When temperatures rise above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the eggplant flowers may drop or the entire plant may stop growing. Once mid-late summer hits, and temperatures begin to go down, the plant will resume growth. Mulching around the base of the plant and keeping soil moist can help keep the plant from suffering during a heat spell.

Pinch off any flowers that form when the plant is still young. This also applies to other vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, etc. This will help send the plants’ energy back to developing roots and foilage rather than fruit.

Eggplants have “suckers” or 45 degree branches that can be pinched off similar to tomato plants. However, it is not neccessary. Staking can help plants grow upright and prevent fruit from resting on the soil.

Consistant harvests throughout the season will encourage plants to form new flowers and fruit. Plants will die once the first frost hits. Although eggplants are technically a perennial in regions without a frost, the plants may not survive through the Winter.