Why Grow Eggplant?
Eggplants are part of the tomato family, related to potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. They are versatile in the kitchen and come in two main categories:
- Indian Varieties: Larger fruits commonly found in grocery stores.
- Chinese Varieties: Smaller, elongated fruits with delicate skin.
Planting Tips
Starting Seeds
- Start seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
- Transplant seedlings outdoors only when the soil temperature reaches at least 60°F.
- Use plastic mulch to warm the soil if planting early in cooler climates.
Preparing the Soil
- Work organic vegetable fertilizer into the soil before planting. Eggplants thrive in rich, fertile soil with a slightly acidic pH.
- Fertilize during the growing season with a low-nitrogen option like Down to Earth Rose and Flower Fertilizer.
- Side-dress the plants twice during the season: once when the fruit is the size of a quarter, and again 2-3 weeks later.
Care Tips
- Watering: Provide consistent moisture, and add organic mulch after the soil is warm to retain water.
- Crop Rotation: Avoid planting eggplants in the same spot where tomato family crops (like tomatoes, peppers, or potatoes) have grown in the last 4 years to prevent diseases like verticillium wilt.
- Pest Management: Protect young plants from cutworms with stem shields and from flea beetles with Agribon AG-19 Floating Row Covers.
Harvesting Eggplants
Knowing when to harvest eggplants is key:
- Gently press the fruit with your thumb. If it gives slightly and bounces back, it’s ready to harvest.
- If it’s too firm, it’s immature. If it doesn’t bounce back, it’s overripe.
- Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the fruit from the plant—don’t pull it off.
About 2-4 weeks before the first frost, pinch off any remaining flowers to help the plant focus on ripening existing fruit.
Grow some delicious organic eggplant in your garden this season. Happy gardening, and grow organic for life!
