Growing Eggplant, also Aubergine

Solanum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

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

(Best months for growing Eggplant in Australia - sub-tropical 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

15 Feb 10, 2 green thumbs (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Dear Roz, I have just had an explosion of Corriander from seed in seedling trays. I was given fresh seeds off a friends plant, which I dried in a paper bag til brown, then planted them in a seedling tray filled with seed raising mix. Maybe try that.
08 Dec 09, Roz (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've tried growing corriander from seed without success during November straight into the garden bed. Do they need any special requirements to get seeds sprouting other than watering to start with? Is November not a good time I've given them a partial shady position to guard against the scorching summer sun and have been pretty consistent with watering. I felt I prepared the soil well by mixing cow manure compost existing soil coconut fibre for moisture retention blood & bone and some lime left it for a week or so then planted seeds. My eggplant seeds did not come up either so I have put in seedlings from Bunnings. What am I doing wrong?
15 Mar 11, Wendy (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Roz, I too couldn't get coriander to grow when planted in summer but when I planted in autumn over the winter I got so many I didn't know what to do with it. So I now plant only over the cooler/winter months as I suspect they just detest heat.
10 Oct 09, newtovegegardening (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've just planted eggplant seedlings, yes - they have a tent to protect from the frost. But a couple of them have been eaten down to the stems. Is there a natural pesticide that I could use to save the rest?
06 Oct 09, monkey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
dear vegewitch - eggplants don't fruit until October/November in sub-tropical climates such as Brisbane - it is too cold. If the flowers still drop in November try putting some dolomite on the soil and watering in - the Ph may be wrong in your soil.
20 Sep 09, Joan Maguire (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
one fruit going well but the balance of flowers have died - plse advise
18 Aug 09, Thora Dutton (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My baby aubergines are full of flowers although a number of flowers seem to die for no reason. I have had 1 little fruit and now there are only 2 more on one plant and both of these fruit are green and don't seem to be going the aubergine colour. Could you please help? Many thanks
02 Jun 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi vegewitch (love the name!) I wonder if a complete high-potassium fertiliser would help, such as the tomato-food version of Dynamic Lifter. I have found a little paintbrush helps make sure the flowers pollinate and set fruit. The other issue might be the cold - my eggplants do much better in summer.
01 Jun 09, vegewitch (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi folks, i am growing eggplant for the first time and the flowers come up and open then the flower dies off and the whole flower and stem piece just drop off? What am i doing wrong?
22 Apr 09, Rosie (Australia - temperate climate)
Marina, I have had the non-fruiting problem with my Black Beauties, too. Lots of healthy strong plants & abundant flowers, but only one fruit early on. I read on an American site that this can be caused by TOO MUCH nitrogen or over-watering so i'm going to try and address both. I'd be interested to hear whether the potash brings fruit on yours, Marina.
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