Eggplant Growing Guide

Solanum melongena

Eggplant

Crop Rotation Group

Solanaceae (Potato and tomato family) 

Soil

Warm, fertile, and well drained.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

A semi-tropical plant; cannot tolerate frost.

Feeding

From midsummer onward, drench with a liquid feed every two weeks.

Spacing

Single Plants: 40cm (1' 3") each way (minimum)
Rows: 35cm (1' 1") with 45cm (1' 5") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost. Transplant to larger pots if needed. Plant out in spring, when the weather is settled and warm.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Stake plants to keep them from falling over when they become heavy with fruit. Mulch to keep soil lightly moist.

Harvesting

Use pruning shears to cut fruits from the stem. Perfect fruits have shiny skins and only a few immature seeds inside.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Eggplant

Plant Diseases which Affect Eggplant