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 75°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 - 30 inches 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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03 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
How certain are you they are Turkish Egg plants. Let them grow and see what the end up like. Google about them - read all you can. Or look up some seed selling companies and buy some real T E P seeds. The joys of gardening.
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17 Nov 17, L.T. (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have nice flowers on my Aubergine plants but they either drop or die before producing the fruit, also I am trying to grow globe courgette, the fruit looks beautiful and healthy but as soon as it becomes the size of a golf ball they drop off and die. What can I do to get the veggies I want
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20 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read through the comments about Zucchini here. They need pollinating - bees or by hand.
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20 May 17, Linda (Australia - temperate climate)
I have an eggplant still producing fruit but they aren't turning purple are they ok to eat
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22 May 17, Sean (Australia - temperate climate)
Egg plant, tomatoes, potatoes and capsicums are in the same family as deadly nightshade and produce an alkaloid called Solanine which can be toxic. An average adult would need to consume 400 mg of Solanine for it to be life threatening and an average eggplant would contain around 11 mg so you would have to eat over 35 egg plants to get to that level. Maybe you have a passion for them! Trust this helps.
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20 May 17, Mary Qoriniyasi (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What do I do to eggplant plant when season is over
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22 May 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Egg plant is a short-lived perennial and will grow on into the next season. For strong, healthy plants with a good yield you would be better to treat them like an annual and plant them in a different spot next season.
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19 May 17, Clive Halliday (Australia - tropical climate)
We have 5 eggplants in large tubs. They are flourishing wit many flowers. But the young fruit are being eaten through the skin and scooping out the flesh. What is causing this? Nothing unusual found on plants. This did not happen last two years.
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24 May 17, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Only guessing - birds or some grub. You could put some plastic bags on them - put a few holes in the bag to let some air in there. Or spray with some grub killer and see if this stops them.
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10 May 17, Dave Christie (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the correct time to pick eggplant. How long can you leave them on the vine after that time.
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Showing 91 - 100 of 266 comments
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Why someone would suggest maybe yours is a male plant and saying "hope this helps" is hilarious. Eggplants do not need separate male and female plants. A quick google search can tell you that. Several reasons your flowers are dropping - lack of pollination or the plant is under stress being - 1) too cold or hot 2)lack of water or nutrients. Try hand pollinating your flowers and lookup the temperature your variety of eggplant will set fruit. I looked up the temperature for Tutukaka coast and the temperature seems too cold for eggplant. I could be wrong. But you will need find out what variety you have first.

- Kristin

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