Eggplants are a warm-season crop that cannot tolerate frost or freezing temperatures. Eggplants can only grow in warm soil—50 degrees Fahrenheit or above. The best time to plant eggplant is in late spring after the last threat of frost.
Does eggplant grow all year round?
The plant is in the same Solanaceae family as tomatoes and peppers, so it may grow from year to year, depending on the climate.
Does eggplant grow in winter?
Question: Will my eggplant plant continue to produce through the fall and winter? Answer: They are warm season vegetables so they slow down considerably as temperatures drop. Although eggplants will keep growing and flowering, they are more productive if cut back and allowed to regrow during late summer.
How long is the growing season for eggplant?
Harvest eggplant 65 to 80 days after transplanting, depending on the variety. When starting from seed, expect 100 to 120 days to maturity. July, August, and September (even into October) are all harvest months for eggplant, depending on where you live and the variety you planted. Don’t wait too long to harvest!
What month is eggplant in season?
Eggplants are in peak season from July through October.
How do I protect my eggplant in the winter?
To keep warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant from succumbing to a frost, try these methods:
- Plant after danger of frost has passed.
- Time seed starting so that plants get set up at the right time.
- Use a floating row cover.
- Try the Wall-O-Water.
What do you do with an eggplant in the winter?
Overwintering Eggplant quick Tip – YouTube
When can eggplant go outside?
Eggplant seedlings can be planted outdoors after the last possible frost date. Even better, wait until overnight temperatures are consistently above 60° Fahrenheit because eggplant really hates cold.
Does frost hurt eggplant?
In general, a frost (31-33 degrees F.) will kill beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peas, pepper, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and watermelon.
Do eggplants need sun?
Eggplant Care
Eggplants are sun lovers. Make sure they get at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days.
Do eggplants like cold weather?
Eggplant is a heat-loving vegetable that does best in temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures inhibit pollination and fruit-set, at 50 degrees, the flowers will drop.
Are eggplants easy to grow?
Growing eggplant would be ridiculously easy if not for eggplant flea beetles. … Eggplant is among the few vegetables that don’t mind warm roots, so they grow well in roomy containers provided the plants are given plenty of water.
How much water does an eggplant need?
Watering. Eggplant also needs consistent water, at least 1 inch per week. It is better to give one thorough soaking than several frequent, short waterings, because frequent watering promotes shallow roots. Weather and soil type, of course, will affect water demand.
How long does it take for an eggplant to bear fruit?
Eggplants are ready to harvest as soon as 70 days after sowing the seeds. Harvest fruits with skin that is glossy and thin. Eggplants can be harvested when they are small, though growing them longer allows for a larger harvest. Harvestable fruits should be firm and inside seeds should not be visible once cut open.
Are eggplants in season in December?
So bright and beautifully dark outside and spongy inside, eggplant is often considered as a vegetable, although it’s a fruit.
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When is eggplant season?
| State | Eggplants in season |
|---|---|
| Florida | January till June and November till December |
| Georgia | June till October |
| Hawaii | March till June |
| Idaho | July till September |
How long does eggplant take to sprout?
Eggplant seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days, depending on the heat, moisture provided, and moisture content, and age of the seed. Seedlings with two sets of leaves can be transplanted into 4-inch or 2 x 2 x 6-inch pots two to three weeks after germination.
What should you not plant next to eggplant?
Eggplant – A good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach, and thyme. Do not plant eggplants near fennel.
Can eggplant survive frost?
In general, a frost (31-33 degrees F.) will kill beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peas, pepper, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and watermelon.
Can I plant tomatoes with eggplant?
Peppers, both sweet and hot, make good companion plants, as they have the same growing needs and are susceptible to the same pests and diseases. Tomatoes are often used as eggplant companions. Again, be sure not to shade the eggplant. Potatoes and spinach are also said to make great companion plantings too.
How long does eggplant tree last?
The eggplant plants live through one season. After harvesting the final fruits, the plant dies, and it’s time to plant new one’s next season.
How long do eggplants last?
Eggplants do not store well for long periods of time. Without refrigeration, eggplants can be stored in a cool, dry place for 1 or 2 days. If you don’t intend to eat the eggplant within 2 days, it should be refrigerated.
Are eggplants annual or perennial?
Although eggplant is a perennial, it is more commonly grown as an annual. Eggplant flowers are star-shaped in various shades of purple and usually form on opposite leaves as either solitary blooms or grouped in clusters of two or more. They are perfect and primarily self-pollinating.
Should I pinch off eggplant flowers?
Pruning Eggplant Suckers
Even if you don’t want to cut back your eggplant drastically, it’s a good idea to remove suckers. … Pinching off these suckers when they‘re small will allow the plant to focus more of its energy on fruit production, resulting in larger, more impressive eggplants.
Can I grow eggplant in a greenhouse?
Eggplant is a popular greenhouse crop due to the high yield potential, rapid growth, and improved quality possible over a longer season. … Greenhouse growing maximizes production by growing the crop fast at a high temperature and high planting density.
What temperature is too low for eggplants?
Cool days and nights can be a problem for tender warm-season crops such peppers, melons, and eggplants. Temperatures in the 40sF won’t kill these plants but their growth will be stunted. Wait to plant out very tender crops until the lowest temperatures do not fall below 50°F/10°C—55 or 60 degrees is even better.
Do you need to pollinate eggplant flowers?
Eggplant blossoms need pollination in order to produce an eggplant. Generally speaking, they only need a draft of light wind or stirring of the surrounding air caused by the gardener walking nearby, or as in my case, the cat chasing bugs through the garden.
What is the best fertilizer for eggplant?
A balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) is often recommended for eggplant. Feeding too much nitrogen at this point can result in large, leafy plants that fail to produce fruit.
Does eggplant grow in shade?
Growing eggplants outdoors requires full sun. Try planting them on a south-facing area of your yard once they are larger than 3 inches. Ample sunlight provides the energy needed for large fruit production through photosynthesis.
Can eggplant grow in partial shade?
As a basic rule of thumb, vegetables grown for their fruit or roots—such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, potatoes, or carrots—require full sun, which is defined as a garden location that receives at least six hours of direct sun each day. … Keep in mind, though, that no vegetable can thrive in deep, dense shade.
Do aubergines survive the winter?
Eggplants are happy growing outside the garden once the weather is warm. They are frost-tender, so in cold areas don’t even think about planting them until November.
Which eggplant is easiest to grow?
Eggplant Varieties Easy to Grow include large oval eggplants, elongated eggplants, and white eggplants. Give eggplants a warm location, warm soil and keep them evenly watered and stress free and they will reward you with beauty and flavor.
Where should I plant eggplant in my garden?
Plant eggplant when soil temps are above 50° F and all chances of frost have passed. Space eggplant 24 to 36 inches apart and stake them once established to prevent toppling. Choose an area with abundant sunlight and fertile, well-drained soil.
How do you fertilize eggplant?
Start by working lots of compost into the soil, plus 2 to 3 pounds of a complete fertilizer like 15-5-10 per 100 sq. ft. If you prefer, use an organic fertilizer like blood meal, well-rotted manure, cottonseed meal or bat guano. Burpee’s Big Boy Tomato Food is also super for eggplants.
Can eggplants grow in pots?
Even if you garden in a small garden bed, or grow your vegetables in containers on the patio or balcony, you can grow eggplant. … Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. Fill the container with a high quality potting soil that will drain quickly.
How do you care for eggplant plants?
Water regularly, especially when the plants are young so that they develop deep roots. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease, but consider using mulch to keep soil moist, warm, and to keep weeds down. Generally, eggplants should get an inch (2.5 cm.) of rain or watering per week.
Why is my eggplant not fruiting?
Eggplants become stressed and stop producing fruit for several reasons, mainly insufficient water and temperatures above 90°F (32°C). Aside from dry conditions, flowers could be dropping because of cold weather, pollination issues, soil deficiencies, or pest damage.
What is the fastest growing vegetable?
1. Radishes. Radishes are one of the fastest vegetables, taking just three to four weeks to reach harvest time. They’re also exceptionally easy to grow.