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 T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in USA - Zone 7a 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

19 Aug 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Eggplants need plenty of water. Perhaps yours are drying out too quickly in your raised beds.
02 Sep 20, em (Australia - temperate climate)
I found that my eggplants needed a lot of water and they really appreciated a good mulch (I mostly just mulched with grass clippings) and they grew until the end of autumn.
15 Aug 20, Preethi Balamurugan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi i live in Melbourne im growing my eggplant seedlings indoor i have got the fungoes gnat so i have move my seedlings outsides in alfersco now my seedlings leaves are curlying Up Is it normal? Can I keep my seedlings in alfresco? Thanks in advance
17 Aug 20, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
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
12 Aug 20, vannezza (Australia - temperate climate)
from flowers it will become fruit in two to three weeks time depending the temperature. the hotter the area the more it quickly become fruit.
17 May 20, Alenka Bosnic (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi it's mid May do I pull out my eggplants or can I prune them back and get them ready for Spring Summer.
18 May 20, Paul Lehmann (Australia - arid climate)
If you don't get any frosts you can leave them in the ground/pot but give them a prune back to half their size. If you have frosts you can cover them if you really like them or pull them out and plant a green manure crop to put energy back into the soil. Eggplants are hungry plants!
23 Apr 20, joanne priscilla Threlfo (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted the store bought punnett of one eggplant a bit late in January now about 2 ft high, I have one eggplant on it that hasn't grown more than 5 inches in weeks and lots of flowers - maybe lack of water and nutrient? . Do I need to prune excess leaves to promote fruit growth? and I notices a few new fruit coming on just today
24 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Eggplant is generally a summer grown veg, like plant in the spring to early summer. I bought seedlings of little fingers from Bunnings about mid Feb. They are about 3' high now and I have been picking them the last 10 days, had them on toast for brecky this morning. Make sure your soil is fertile and a good watering each 2 days. A nice sunny spot also. I have some of the same seedlings in gardens 10klm away and they have not produced eatable fruit yet, I fertilised them this morning to give them a kick along.
18 Apr 20, Pastor Dennis Naidoo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
HI Guys Need some help on my black beauty egg plant. I have planted my egg plant about three months ago and there is no fruit appearing. The leaves are turning yellow and also there is something eating up the leaves. Any help will be appreciated. I;m based in KZN Richards Bay. God BLESS
Showing 61 - 70 of 348 comments

Marina: I was having the same problem (West Sydney). I finally solved it by watering every other day and 1 application of a handful of potash. 2 plants have so far given 5 with 5 more fruit growing and 4 more flowers

- David

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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