Harvest Type:  Continuous

Transplant/Direct Sow:  Transplant

When to Plant:  Nighttime temperature at or above 70°F.

Indoors 4-6 weeks before the last average frost date.

Days to Germinate:  7-14 days

Days to Maturity:  100-120 days

Planting Depth:  ¼” deep

Germination Temp:  70-95°F

Seed Spacing:  1-2” apart in trays. Plant seedlings 24-36” apart.

Rows:  2 ½' apart.

Light:  Full sun

Soil pH:  5.5-7.2 pH

Water:  1” of water per week

Soil Temperature:  Optimal is 70-95°F

Fertilizer:  5-10-10 N-P-K ratio.

Tip: Try to avoid adding fertilizer to the space between rows to help reduce weed growth.

Rotation:  Annually

Harvest Type

Eggplant is a one-season crop that produces fruit throughout the growing season once the plant is mature.

TIP: Stake taller varieties to protect branches from wind and fruit damage.

Transplant / Direct Sow

Because eggplant is a long production plant (100-120 days), start the seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost date if you live in an area with a shorter growing season. For warmer climates, start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks after the last frost date. The soil temperature needs to be very warm for eggplants to thrive.

Tip: Eggplants originate in the Middle East and love the heat. They do not do well in cooler climates, so plan to plant them so that they mature during the hottest part of summer.

When to Plant:

Eggplant is a heat-loving plant, so transplant seedlings when the soil temperature is 70°F or warmer. The ideal soil temperature is around 85°F.

Days to germinate

It takes eggplant seeds 7-14 days to germinate.

Days to maturity

It takes about 100-120 days for the eggplant to mature.

Planting Depth

Plant seeds deeply at 1/4" deep.

Germination Temperature Range

The soil must be almost hot for eggplant seeds to germinate. Aim for 70-95°F soil temperatures and warm days above 80°F for best results.

Spacing Between Plants

Space seedlings about 24-36" apart. Plant seeds 2-3" apart in trays and then transplant. Eggplant will grow to a size of 2-3'.

Growing conditions

Eggplant needs fertile soil that holds water but does not become soggy. For fertilizer, aim for 5-10-5 N-P-K ratio formula or prepare the area with aged manure and compost. Eggplant is a heat-loving plant, so transplant when the days are hot in the 80-90°F range.

Companion Plants

Peppers are one of the best companion plants for eggplants. Most grow to about the same size and love the heat too.

Rotation

Annually

Anticipated yields

Plan your garden yield at two-three plants per person for daily consumption. One plant will produce 4-6 fruits that are about 555 grams.

TIP: Grow a variety of eggplant to find the cultivars that you love the most.

There are many varieties of eggplant, and some will have 20 or more fruits that are small or long. Black Beauty is the variety that most people grow because its fruit is large.