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 T          
      P P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in Australia - tropical 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

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29 Jan 09, ian (Australia - temperate climate)
i have started growing eggplants this year,first time, did nothing special for them but they are growing fantastically well,have four plants that are about 30 inches high and they are yeilding heaps of excellent quality fruit,i water weekly except hot days i water at night even if its not the weekly water, even every day for 5 days here as its been 40+ HERE IN ADELAIDE FOR 4 DAYS STRAIGHT WITH MORE TO COME, I MULCHED ALL PLANTS FROM JOUNG VERY WELL AND HAVE A SORT OF TROUGH RUNNING THROUGH THEM WHICH HELPS WITH DIRECTING WATER . I HAVE ONLY USED BLOOD n bone manure so far but they are probably getting a bit from the previous plants i had in there which was planted with chook manure and fruit tree fertiliser, oh i did liquid fertilise them every week for the first 4 to 6 weeks cheers ian
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08 Jan 09, Rachel (Australia - temperate climate)
my parents are growing eggplant for the first time (perth), but need to know how to tell if the fruit are ready to pick.
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22 Dec 08, kelvin. living in perth (Australia - temperate climate)
When growing egg plants do you have to pinch out the small shoots like you do for tomatoes ??
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17 Oct 08, Jenny Joynson (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am looking for eggplant growers in Victoria and South Australia, if anyone could help me I would greatly appreciate it. Please email me at [email protected]
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03 Oct 08, salen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Trying to grow egg plant in pots, plants are healthy, lots of flowers but does not get fruit, flowers fall off what should I do, sprayed malathion - did not work applied rich potassium base fertilizer- no results potting mix is a mixture of compost, commercial potting mix and garden soil. pots have hole and watered regulary still no Fruits - testing 3 different varities - all not flowering but not fruiting. Why Wh
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02 Oct 08, (Australia - tropical climate)
I have just planted eggplant seedlings.When should I expect fruit?
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16 Jul 08, Raj (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it right time to sow the eggplant seed in Perth metro area?
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15 Jul 08, Joanne (Australia - temperate climate)
I seem to have these little grubs burrowing into and eating my fruit. you cant really see that they are there untill you chop the fruit in half. does anyone know what these are and how to get rid of them?
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13 Jul 08, Jan van (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
On the Sunshine Coast. Growing eggplant for the first time. Planted seeds early June. No frost here. Now 7"- 8" high. surrounded by silverbeet and shallots. Parsley, Rosemary and garlic Chives in same garden. Organic. Fertilize with liquid (seaweed etc ) and cow manure. Use sugar cane mulch on all gardens. Last put down in March. Any info useful.
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I've got three Asian eggplants growing, all from the same source, one in the ground and the other two in a raised garden bed. They all get equal treatment re fertiliser and watering but the two in the raised bed produce smaller fruit that is a very pale purple and tougher while the other has long much bigger deep purple fruit that's perfect. What could the likely cause be? pH or something else?

- Phil Morton

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