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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25 Jan 18, Phil Morton (Australia - temperate climate)
Not a lot of difference.... the one in the ground is closer to a west wall so get's about an hour less afternoon sunlight in a day. They both have good layers of mulch to help keep in the moisture. The 42' days recently and the few arriving from tomorrow have/will be doing damage to them both no doubt!
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01 Dec 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Could someone please tell me. I planted what i thought were Turkish Egg plants. The vegetables that have formed are in a spiky what appears to be a shell of sorts..A bit like the old fashioned Maces the Medieval knights used to use in combat. Completely stumped. I do not have a clue as to what these may be.
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29 Jan 18, Cathie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Any chance you have an African Horned Melon?
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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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Showing 91 - 100 of 269 comments
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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.

- Anon

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