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This warm season vegetable yields delicious edibles, as well as attractive purple-blue and white flowers that are beautiful for landscaping.

It’s best to start with seedlings, which you can obtain from a nursery or start indoors. Grow your eggplant in spring for harvests lasting through summer and into fall.

WHEN TO SOW

SUN OR PART SHADE

SEED SPACING

ROW SPACING

PLANTING DEPTH

SPACE AFTER THINNING

DAYS TO GERMINATE

DAYS TO MATURITY

Indoors 8 weeks before first frost

Sun

2-4 feet

3-4 feet

¼ inch

N/A

10-21

60-90

Soil and Fertilizing

It’s best to have your soil tested before planting, so you know what nutrients and pH adjustments may be needed to support your crop. For a thorough soil test, consult your local county extension office.

Eggplants prefer fertile, well-drained sandy or loamy soil, with a balanced pH at or near 7.0. They also need a minimum soil temperature of 60˚ F. Once you’ve planted your seedlings, mulch the soil to keep weeds away and retain moisture.

Planting

Pick a sunny spot for your eggplant. Give them plenty of room to spread, too, since these plants can get up to two feet tall and 2-4 feet wide. When planting seedlings, wait to transplant for 8-10 days after the last spring frost has passed, while nighttime temperatures are still about 70° F.

Eggplants are heavy feeders, but avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers. They may encourage lush foliage growth at the expense of fruit.

Pinch off blossoms 2 to 4 weeks before first expected frost so that plants channel energy into ripening existing fruit, not producing new ones.

Watering

Eggplant requires will draining soil and has moderate moisture needs.

Harvesting / Storage

Harvest 16 to 24 weeks after sowing when the skin of the fruit is shiny and unwrinkled. Don’t wait too long to harvest! As soon as the skin does not rebound to gentle pressure from your finger, it’s ripe.

When harvesting, do not pull the fruit (as it won’t come off). Cut the fruit with a sharp knife or pruning shears close to the stem, leaving about an inch of it attached.

Eggplants can be stored for up to two weeks in humid conditions no lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Store in the refrigerator where it will keep for several days. Do not wash or cut in advance to avoid damaging the skin, which will quickly perish if exposed.

 

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For soil testing or other questions specific to your growing climate, please contact your local county extension agent.

Visit http://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services to find the office nearest you.