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

20 Mar 11, Dianne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How do I know when an eggplant is ripe to pick?
05 Mar 11, Aaron (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a large number of egg plant fruit on the trees, how do you tell when they are ready to harvest ?
05 Mar 11, tuan bui (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi. I am a market gardener in north of adelaide sa, i had been growing egg plant in the glasshouse for years. Not long ago I try to plant in hydroponics for some reason why I got a lot of fruit rot "the fruit look ok but when I see a little crack or solf in the small area of the fruit then I cut it open , the flesh inside turn brown and the fruit is no good at all for the market. thank you, regard tuan bui
12 Feb 11, Cherri East (Australia - temperate climate)
I have small holes in my eggplant and when I crack the egg plant open there is a grub inside that is eating the flesh of the fruit. ?Any ideas on what these may be and how I can get rid of them in an organic way. I have alot of herbs in my garden and do not have a problem with an other type of pest on any other vegetabel, just the egg plant. The eggplant bushes them selves are healthy.
06 Feb 11, John Fawkner (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Eggplant in a tunnel house set fruit but keep dropping them. suggestions?
26 Nov 10, Pru (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
RE Chris P, if flowers are dying and falling off, sprinkle a small hand full of epsom salts around the base of the plant, just away from the stem. My grocer told me this trick last year and I had a full crop after applying the epsom salts.
19 Nov 10, chris p (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
my eggplant flowers well but the fruit doesn't develop - the flowers drop off, what is missing?
02 Jun 11, Margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
My plants are large enough and healthy - they get plenty of flowers but no fruit has started. Maybe thye need a bit more sun for this time of year?
01 Nov 10, John Podevin (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have just planted some eggplant seedlings in the garden (we live in Napier). How long will it be before they can be harvested?
01 Oct 10, Carol (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My egg plants and silver beet are getting eaten this has never happened before,can you please tell me what to spray them with,
Showing 281 - 290 of 348 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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