Growing Eggplant, also Aubergine

Solanum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
        T              
        P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 24°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 60 - 75 cm apart
  • Harvest in 12-15 weeks. Cut fruit with scissors or sharp knife.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beans, capsicum, lettuce, amaranth, thyme
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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30 Dec 19, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Go to Bunnings or a nursery and buy some seedlings if they have them. Good idea to put a stake (1.4-5m out of the ground) in to support them. If can't get seedlings try some seeds.
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30 Dec 19, Greg (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I bought my egglant seedling from Bunnings and it's going well. Two months old and over 1 high (climbing up stake) and fruiting. Give it a whirl...only a few $ for the seedling.
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08 Aug 19, Kwaku (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi When is the best time to sow eggplant and chilli seeds in Sydney? Cheers Kwaku
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08 Aug 19, Liz (Australia - temperate climate)
Use the Vegetables and Herbs tab - top of the page - click on chosen vegetable, then check that the right zone is selected - top of the page - for most of Sydney it is Sub-tropical.
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08 Aug 19, Colin Scott (Australia - temperate climate)
I have two egg plants that have given fruit and still have few flowers. What should I do for the next harvest? Pull them out and start again? Cut it back? Just leave it? Many thanks.
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10 Aug 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
From the notes here about egg plant.
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10 Aug 19, Phil M (Australia - temperate climate)
You should be able to get a good second season crop from eggplant. Best to cut it back and pull off any flowers although a little late in the season. I've got two I cut right back at the start of winter and they are still growing well, as the temperature gets up they will take off. I've also got another going into a third season that looks healthy after a fantastic second season crop but this will be new territory so don't know what to expect third time around.
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06 Aug 19, Jeanette (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi have a few egg plants growing but they are still green.What do i do to get them purple.Thanks.
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07 Aug 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Some varieties do have greenish fruit. www.thekitchn.com/a-visual-guide-to-10-glorious-varieties-of-eggplant-232828
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08 Aug 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes there are some green eggplant. I have found the last few years when the plant has cropped for awhile and the soil is maybe running out of nutrients etc the fruit becomes a bit deformed and is green and purple and doesn't look very attractive. I don't know why this happens - could be weather, trace element deficient - could be one of a hundred different reasons. If I have had a good crop then I'm happy and it's time to pull them out. My eggplant self germinates from fruit left on the ground from last year and dug in. Probably won't germinate until Oct/Nov.
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i read that fungus gnat are mainly on indoor plants. Once seeds have germinated I find it best to put them out in the sun a bit. Some sun, some shade during the day. The amount of each will depend on how hot or cold it is during the day. Google fungus gnats and read the article about them on The Farmers Almanac

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