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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11 Aug 23, Jock Macdonald (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How to hand pollinate egg plant
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06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Give the bush a light shake about 9-10am.
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15 Jan 23, christina (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi... i have several plants in different vegie beds.... but they have all been attacked my a little tiny black beetle... all the leaves on every plant have been decimated and eaten how can i stop them please and any advice .....
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03 Jul 23, Tim (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The little beetles are flea beetles. Soil born and emerge as the weather warms up and very difficult to control especially organically. I use pyganic and this season I will try Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (vectobac) in the soil to try control the larvae when they hatch. It is expensive and a bulk buy however there is an online hydro shop selling in smaller batches. There is also the powdered form. Neem oil should work however I am hopeless at remembering to spray every 10 days. They are usually around in the warmer months and love the Solanaceae family. I also bag my flowers as they can wreck them overnight.
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01 Jan 23, Goldy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, first time gardener here! ;-) Bought eggplant seedlings from Bunnings and planted all of them (6) in a round pot, approx 10cm apart. I know it requires 45-50cm apart. Will they grow and produce fruit as is or do I have to set them apart further? i.e. re plant in a different pot?
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05 Jan 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
First time gardener learn a golden rule - when they suggest 45-50cm between plants there is a very good reason. They need that amount of soil area to be able to source enough nutriets to produce a decent crop.
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04 Jan 23, Liz (Australia - temperate climate)
Eggplant leaves/plants can spread a bit, so separate pots or beds would be best
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23 Jun 22, Nat (Australia - tropical climate)
An eggplant has self seeded in sunny spot, next to my olive tree in Brisbane.. It's now 22/6/2022 so am wondering if I could successfully dig it up and put it elsewhere in the garden. Really healthy stocks (3 of them each about 10ml + wide). Hmmm. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you
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23 Jun 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dig out with a shovel or spade and keep as much soil as possible around the roots. Put into a new hole, pack the soil around it and water well. Plant them about 700mm a part.
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07 May 22, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
First time I’ve planted Egg Plant. (Wicking bed) Enjoying the few fruits now. Do I pull the plant up or is it perennial? I’m guessing the cold winter will knock it. I would like to use the spot for winter veg unless it will grow through till next season.
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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.

- Liz

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