How to Grow Grown Eggplant

 Home Grown Eggplants

 luv2garden.com  - Abigal Gordon's Gardens ®

Planting Eggplant

Eggplant grows best in a well-drained sandy loam or loam soil, fairly high in organic matter.

Start early indoors in peat pots or cell packs

Rows should be 3 to 5 ft. apart. Plants should be 2 to 3 ft. apart

Transplants should be 8 to 10 wks old and slightly hardened, grown in 2 inch. or larger pots.

The outdoor environment can be very harsh for a transplant. So, harden the transplants before planting outdoors to increase their survival rate. Place them outdoors in their original containers where they will receive direct sunlight and some wind for a few hours each day for a week, possibly more.. Gradually lengthen the amount of time outside each day. Move the plants inside at night .

As with any transplants , placement of the root system is critical for an optimal survival rate among eggplants. Refer to the accompanying diagram.

Transplanting

Timing is very important - Eggplants need the heat, some vegetables will tolerate a frost, eggplants will not. Eggplant is a very tender plant that requires a long, warm season for successful production.

Be sure that all danger of frost has passed in your area and that the soil temperatures are an average of 60o F , 59 or 58 isn't gonna kill it , but at least stay in the ballpark. Check the days to maturity for the varieties of eggplant - this is on the seed package or garden catalog. Choose only varieties that will produce in the available time. Judge maturity from the time you set the transplants into the garden .

*Tip - Prevent cutworm damage when you transplant. Take a strip of newspaper 2 - 3 inches wide , wrap it around the stem of the plant. When you place the plant in its hole, have an inch of the newspaper strip is below the soil surface, while the rest stays above This will keep cutworms from chewing through the stem of the plant.

 

Water Requirements

Water eggplant sufficiently to moisten the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. The critical period for moisture is during fruit set and fruit development. Mulching can help to provide uniform moisture, conserve water and reduce weeds.  Eggplants should receive slightly more than an inch of water weekly  slightly more in sandy soils. Inexpensive Water timer systems are available

 

 

Fertilizer & Soil  Requirements

Soil pH range  5.5 - 6.0  See Soil Ph for more extensive data.  

Lime and fertilizer applications are best based on a soil test.

 

In general, two pounds each of actual nitrogen, phosphorus (P2O5), and potash (K2O) per 1,000 square feet of garden space is adequate. An additional application of one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. after the fruit has set may be helpful to maintain plant development. See: Understanding Fertilizer Labels

 

Garden Solutions® Vegetable Food All-natural plant food promotes vigorous, healthy growth of peas, and other vegetables. Releases nutrients gradually, as plants need them. Mix into soil after seeds have sprouted, again in mid-season.
 

 Pruning and Pinching back Eggplant

Modest pruning is highly recommended to produce high quality eggplants. Remove older leaves from the lower portions of plants to allow for more air circulation and lighting . Pinch suckers (the new growth that begins between the leaf and the stem) weekly. Maintain three branches per plant: two branches from the primary division of the main stalk and one branch below this division. All the other lateral branches are removed periodically. Properly pruned plants will generally bear their first ripe fruits a week or two earlier than unpruned ones. Size and abundance are also a factor.
 

Post Harvest

Eggplant is not suitable for drying or canning. Freezing is the best method for home preservation.

To Freeze: Harvest before seeds become mature and when color is uniformly dark.

Wash, peel if desired, and slice 1/3-inch thick. Prepare quickly, enough eggplant for one blanching at a time. Water blanch, covered for 4 minutes in one gallon boiling water containing 1/2 cup lemon juice (fresh or bottled). Cool, drain and package, leaving 1/2-inch head space. Seal in zip closure freezer bags and seal and freeze.

For frying -- Pack the drained slices with a freezer wrap between slices. Seal and freeze. See our recipes section for extensive ideas  

See Also Eggplant Recipes