Eggplant Planting Instructions
Eggplant is very tender perennial grown as an annual. Eggplant requires 100 to 140 warm days with temperatures consistently between 70° and 90°F to reach harvest. Eggplant is best started indoors and later transplanted into the garden; sow eggplant indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting into the garden. Transplant seedlings into the garden 2 to 3 weeks after the average last frost in spring.
Eggplant is a small- to medium-sized bush vegetable that produces smooth, glossy skinned fruit that can vary in length from 5 to 12 inches long. Eggplants have large, fuzzy, grayish-green leaves and produce star-shaped lavender flowers with yellow centers. The edible fruit can be long and slender or round or egg-shaped fruit. Fruit is creamy-white, yellow, brown, purple, or sometimes almost black. Eggplants can grow 2 to 6 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Grow eggplant in full sun. Eggplant is not particular about the soil it grows in but will grow best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Eggplant prefers a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8. Add aged compost to
planting beds before planting. Warm the soil in advance of planting with a black plastic cover.
Eggplant is sensitive to cold. It grows best where day temperatures are between 80° and
90°F and night temperatures between 70° and 80°F. Eggplant is best started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before
transplanting into the garden. Transplant into the garden no sooner than 2 to 3 weeks after the average
date of last frost in spring, or when daytime temperatures consistently reach 70°F. Eggplants planted too
early will not develop. Eggplant requires up to 150 frost-free days to reach harvest.
Sow eggplant seed ¼ to ½ inch deep spaced 4 to 5 inches apart. Thin plants to 6
inches apart. Set eggplants into the garden 18 to 24 inches apart. Space rows 24 to 36 inches apart.
Eggplants require evenly moist soil to ensure the best and fastest growth. Do not
over water or allow the soil to dry out. Once the soil has warmed, mulch around eggplants to retain soil
moisture and an even growing temperature.
Protect eggplants from unexpected late frost; provide protection at night until all danger of frost is
past. In hot summer climates, the soil temperature may become too warm for the roots; mulch plants
about 4 weeks after setting them in the garden. Where temperatures grow hot in the summer to 100°F or
greater, protect eggplants with shade covering. Tall varieties and those with heavy fruit may need to be
staked.
Eggplant is easily grown in containers. Plants will grow in pots at least 12 inches
across and as deep. Choose a smaller growing variety. Container grown eggplants are easily moved out of
cold weather; so you can extend the season in spring and autumn by moving plants indoors when frost
threatens.
Eggplants are ready for harvest when the fruit is glossy, firm, and full colored and not streaked
with brown. Time from planting to harvest is 100 to 150 days from seed, 70 to 85 days from transplants.
Harvest eggplant young before the flesh becomes pithy. The eggplant fruit grows on a sturdy stem; cut
the fruit from the stem with a sharp knife.
Eggplant is a small- to medium-sized bush vegetable that produces smooth, glossy skinned fruit that can vary in length from 5 to 12 inches long. Eggplants have large, fuzzy, grayish-green leaves and produce star-shaped lavender flowers with yellow centers. The edible fruit can be long and slender or round or egg-shaped fruit. Fruit is creamy-white, yellow, brown, purple, or sometimes almost black. Eggplants can grow 2 to 6 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Grow eggplant in full sun. Eggplant is not particular about the soil it grows in but will grow best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Eggplant prefers a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8. Add aged compost to
planting beds before planting. Warm the soil in advance of planting with a black plastic cover.
Eggplant is sensitive to cold. It grows best where day temperatures are between 80° and
90°F and night temperatures between 70° and 80°F. Eggplant is best started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before
transplanting into the garden. Transplant into the garden no sooner than 2 to 3 weeks after the average
date of last frost in spring, or when daytime temperatures consistently reach 70°F. Eggplants planted too
early will not develop. Eggplant requires up to 150 frost-free days to reach harvest.
Sow eggplant seed ¼ to ½ inch deep spaced 4 to 5 inches apart. Thin plants to 6
inches apart. Set eggplants into the garden 18 to 24 inches apart. Space rows 24 to 36 inches apart.
Eggplants require evenly moist soil to ensure the best and fastest growth. Do not
over water or allow the soil to dry out. Once the soil has warmed, mulch around eggplants to retain soil
moisture and an even growing temperature.
Protect eggplants from unexpected late frost; provide protection at night until all danger of frost is
past. In hot summer climates, the soil temperature may become too warm for the roots; mulch plants
about 4 weeks after setting them in the garden. Where temperatures grow hot in the summer to 100°F or
greater, protect eggplants with shade covering. Tall varieties and those with heavy fruit may need to be
staked.
Eggplant is easily grown in containers. Plants will grow in pots at least 12 inches
across and as deep. Choose a smaller growing variety. Container grown eggplants are easily moved out of
cold weather; so you can extend the season in spring and autumn by moving plants indoors when frost
threatens.
Eggplants are ready for harvest when the fruit is glossy, firm, and full colored and not streaked
with brown. Time from planting to harvest is 100 to 150 days from seed, 70 to 85 days from transplants.
Harvest eggplant young before the flesh becomes pithy. The eggplant fruit grows on a sturdy stem; cut
the fruit from the stem with a sharp knife.
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