How to Grow Eggplant

We will look at how to grow eggplant starting in the Spring of 2010. Check back for updates and photos. For our growing purposes we will be using the Nadia. Below is some general information about eggplant.

The Nadia is a classic large Italian and will work good for us as we learn how to grow eggplant. It has uniform, dark purple fruits with green calyx that are glossy and blemish free. Tall, sturdy plants can set fruit under cool conditions.

Days to Maturity: 67 CULTURE: Sow in flats indoors in early April, or 8 weeks prior to planting out, 4 seeds/in., 1/4" deep. If possible, maintain 80-90°F (27-32°C) soil temp. until emergence, and 70°F (21°C) thereafter.

Seed will not germinate in cool soil. After true leaves form, thin to 2-3" apart in flats or transplant into 2-3" pots or plug trays. To harden plants reduce water and temperature to about 60°F (16°C) for about a week before planting out.

Transplant outdoors in mid-June or whenever weather has thoroughly settled. Eggplants are tender, and cold weather may weaken them. Use row covers (see Index) for a real boost in performance and insect control. Space transplants 18" apart in rows 30-36" apart, or 2 rows on poly mulch, 18-24" between plants.

STAKING: Eggplants may be pruned and staked like tomatoes to keep the fruits straight. DISEASE: Practice lengthy crop rotation to avoid verticillium wilt.

INSECT PESTS: Fabric row covers (see Index) are effective insect pest control. Control flea beetles on newly set transplants with pyrethrin or rotenone. Regularly check undersides of leaves and crush any orange egg masses of the Colorado potato beetles or control with BT biological insecticide.

HARVEST: Clip fruit stem with shears. Pick fruits of desired size regularly to encourage further production.

Eggplant likes hot weather. Plant after the last day of frost for your region. Plants often are started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date, and transplanted as the weather warms in the spring. A second setting in mid summer, is often started outdoors.

For outdoors planting, select a sunny location. Eggplants like full sun. Sow seeds very shallow, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch.

Before planting, make sure your soil is rich with compost or other soil additive. Don't forget the worms. The soil will need to be kept moist as with almost all vegetable plants.

Mulch or lay down a weed barrier around the plants to add nutrients and for moisture retention.

Begin to harvest eggplants as soon as the first fruit reaches a desirable size. Keep picking them and do not let them get too big. When it comes to vegetables, larger is not always better. By continuous harvesting, you will encourage more fruit to set all the way to frost.

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