![]() The way to harvest eggplant is to use a knife or garden clippers to cut the stem an inch above the fruit and store whole eggplants in a cool area of your home away from sunlight for about a week. To determine if the eggplants are ready to pick, check the skin to ensure that it’s unwrinkled and glossy, and press your finger to see if they have little give. The fruits taste better when they are young, so check them regularly and harvest them when they just become ripe. How long does eggplant take to grow? Eggplant harvesting usually begins mid to late summer, depending on the type. Find out when and how to pick eggplant fruit and tips for storing your crop to keep it fresh. Once the end of the eggplant growing season draws near, it’s time to prepare for harvest. Verticillium wilt and powdery mildew are common with these plants – planting a disease-resistant eggplant variety and performing crop rotation are ways to prevent these issues. Remove the insects from the leaf as soon as you discover them, and apply insecticidal soap. Should an unexpected cold front comes in, cover crops with a floating row cover to protect them from damage.Įggplant is susceptible to the same pests as other nightshade species, including flea beetles and the Colorado potato beetle. If you prefer, one of the best natural fertilizers for eggplant is manure. Once the eggplant plant grows very small fruits, feed it a 5-10-10 fertilizer, followed by another application a few weeks later. Consider using a drip irrigation system to discourage splashing the leaves. Water your plants consistently without waterlogging them to prevent abnormally-shaped fruit. Learn what vegetables can be planted together with eggplant to take advantage of nutrients and insect-repelling abilities. If you plan on staking your plants, insert the stake at the time of planting to avoid disturbing the roots. ![]() Care for eggplant plants through the season and watch for problems as they grow. However, there are times when we must step in and offer support. Mother Nature cares for her plants to the best of her ability. ![]() Sow seeds a quarter-inch deep and 18 to 24-inches apart, and do not let the soil dry out as they germinate. However, if you reside in a warm region, it’s safe to direct-sow eggplant seeds when the soil temperature is consistently above 70°. It’s best to start eggplant seeds indoors. Water them right after planting and spread black plastic mulch or organic mulch over the bed to retain soil moisture and warmth and prevent weed growth. Transplant the young plants 18 to 24-inches apart in the garden or raised bed, with rows 30 to 36 inches apart. Harden them off by taking them outdoors for a couple of hours each day for a week. Six to eight weeks after your seeds germinate, they are ready for transplanting in the garden. Discover when to plant eggplant seeds indoors and how to plant eggplant seeds to encourage germination. It’s crucial to start them inside your home if you live in a cold region. How to Plant Eggplant Seeds IndoorsĮggplant is a warm-season crop, and it doesn’t tolerate freezing temperatures. Choose a garden spot where the plants receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily and prepare for transplanting outdoors when the temperature is around 70☏. Till the garden, remove all weeds, and add a three to four-inch layer of organic matter or compost.Īvoid growing eggplant in areas where tomato and other nightshade family plants grew in previous years to prevent diseases. ![]() They grow ideally in well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.2. There are many Chinese and Japanese eggplant types – some good eggplant choices for home-growing are Rosa Bianca, Hansel, Gretel, and Little Fingers. Here are some helpful tips before growing eggplant from seeds. While seed sowing is pretty straightforward, it’s always good to understand your plant’s requirements before starting the growing process. What to Know about Growing Eggplant from Seeds Find out what these plants need to thrive and how to harvest eggplant and store them at the end of the season. Learn how to plant eggplant seeds indoors before the last frost and transplant eggplant seedlings outside when the soil temperature is a minimum of 65☏. The key to healthy growth is to plant eggplant in warm soil and provide it with the right amount of water, food, and sunshine. Planting eggplant in the garden or container is both rewarding and easy, and growing eggplant from seeds is an inexpensive way to produce food. Using Garden Eggplant to Prepare a Hearty Dish Planting and Growing Eggplant from Seed.How to Grow Eggplant from Seed in the Garden.What to Know about Growing Eggplant from Seeds.Planting and Growing Eggplant from Seed. ![]()
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