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

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.
15 Apr 09, ray (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My six eggplant have been cropping since october and are going stronger than ever, they over 2 meters height. Each plant has delevered in excess of 15-20 fruit each. They are in a new garden bed that was based on well rotted horse manure. I have sprayed carbaryl twice in the peak of summer as the friut got attacked by a white grub. i sprayed mancozeb once after the leaves were looking sad. i plan to keep them going over the winter for a second season.
13 Apr 09, Hazel Taylor (Australia - temperate climate)
My eggplants have grown well but the later fruit have maggots in them. They make long black tunnels and taint the flesh. This is the first year this has been a real problem. Any tips?
07 Apr 09, Diana (Australia - temperate climate)
Mine are growing wildly and happily and profusely in a no-dig garden of lucerne hay, manure, compost and wheat hay...the only thing is that they keep getting infested with grubs :o( I'm not sure what kind, just squishy white maggoty-looking grubs. Any tips on managing these pests?
06 Apr 09, Wendy (Australia - temperate climate)
Egg plants are very hungry for Nitrogen. Mine are fed abundantly, mostly with horse manure and compost and some chook manure. I have at least 10 good size fruit per plant. However they do not seem to fully ripen, always a little greenish just under skin when cut. They still taste fine but I am told they are much richer in taste if fully ripe. any clues??
05 Apr 09, (Australia - temperate climate)
I too have a problem with the Aubergine not going dark, actually is yellow sometimes the growth is stunted. My soil type is almost neutral.
31 Mar 09, marina (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks David. I suspected too much water could be a culprit and I'm going to do the potash thing. Happy eggplanting!
Showing 241 - 250 of 269 comments

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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