![]() ![]() Once your seedlings are 7-8 weeks old or 5-6″ tall and stocky, you can plant them in the garden.Once the seedlings have germinated and have their first set of true leaves, be sure to fertilize regularly with an organic liquid fertilizer.If you plan on direct sowing your eggplant (not recommended), you will follow the same directions as starting them in seed starter pots or plug trays.When starting seeds in starter pots, place the seeds on top of moist high-quality seed starting soil and cover with 1/4″ finely sifted soil.If you start your seeds early in the season, you may want to use a heating mat to ensure the soil is warm enough for quick germination. Be aware that eggplant germinates very slowly in cold soil. Seeds are easy to start with some fundamental knowledge.Eggplants cannot tolerate cold temperatures they are typically the last plant to be transplanted out. Transplant out after the danger of frost is gone. Sow seeds in starter pots with a heating pad 5-6 weeks before the last frost.Using a heating pad can significantly increase the germination rate and speed. All seeds of the Solanaceae family enjoy warm temperatures to germinate. Do not let your seedlings get root bound in the containers. In Zones 9 and 10, you can start seeds as early as February if they are protected from the cold.As a grower, you should decide to pull plants if they are not producing at a healthy rate, diseased, or need the space for more seasonal vegetables. In Zones 9 and 10, you can grow eggplant year-round, but productivity will diminish in cool temperatures and when days are shorter. It happens when a typically annual plant grows year-round in mild weather. Eggplant grows well in our long warm season.Fewer seeds and thin skin make this eggplant variety ideal for cooking. Long Purple eggplant is richer and milder than most, pleasing the pickiest of eggplant lovers! This Italian heirloom is long and slender in shape. 2023 Urban Farming and Planting Calendar.Other nightshade veggies, such as hot or sweet peppers, are great to plant with eggplants because they mostly require the same nutrients. Marigolds on the perimeter will help attract beneficial insects and keep away pests. Chard, spinach, or arugula planted beneath the eggplant will welcome the dappled shade and help retain moisture in the soil. Herbs such as oregano, basil, or dill will also do a great job of deterring pests. I don’t tend to be a big "mulcher". As long as you’re supplying your quarterly compost treatment, your plants should be fine. WaterĮggplant requires up to 1” a week. Water deeply and less often for strong root growth. Your first instinct might be to add mulch around your eggplant to keep the water from evaporating, but since eggplants welcome hot soil, it's best to wait until the plant is mature before offering any cover. I like to add fresh compost around the base of my eggplant plants every couple of weeks to support them. FertilizerĮggplant loves phosphorus and potassium to help it form fruit. Apply a balanced fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 or make sure your nitrogen (the first number) is lower to avoid too much leaf production. ![]() Sunlightįull sun is non-negotiable when growing this purple beauty. SoilĮggplant likes its soil hot and neutral. Shoot for a pH between 5.5-7.5. After planting, you should be able to have an abundant summer harvest after 70 to 90 days, depending on the variety you're growing. SeasonĮggplant grows best in hot climates (its optimum growing temperatures range from 70☏ to 90☏). Growing eggplant under its ideal conditions will increase your chances of a successful fruit harvest. In my case, I see a huge benefit to growing my own eggplant because I can experiment with different varieties. It wasn’t until adulthood that I finally really loved eggplant because I was introduced to the buttery goodness of Chinese eggplant in a stir fry. I fell head over heels in love with this purple beauty. Over time, I came to appreciate the advantages of growing your own eggplant at home. My grandmother shared with me a number of eggplant benefits in a diet. One health benefit, most notably, is that it contains antioxidants, which protect cells against damage. Recently, I discovered that if you have diabetes, it is also known to help you process sugar more easily. Eggplant is, however, a member of the nightshade family. I will discuss why that can be an issue for certain individuals later. Coming from a Cajun family, eggplant was a summer staple in our family’s garden and cuisine, along with squash, okra, and tomatoes. Basically, I lived on ratatouille! I never complained and just ate it, knowing how hard my grandmother worked in the garden to grow this pretty purple vegetable. The Benefits of Growing Your Own Eggplant at Home ![]()
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