Choose seeds depending on the variety that you would like to plant. Healthy plants produce larger fruit in greater quantities. You can get several types of varieties of eggplant to grow in your garden. Because eggplant really needs warm soil to grow well, gardeners in cool climates often do best growing the plants in large, dark-colored containers. If you are thinking about growing eggplant, it’s a good idea to consider which time of year they typically do best. Just to name a few. Fine flavor; holds well. After preparing the seeds, prepare the container that you will use. This makes eggplant a popular vegetable to grow in containers because you can always move them around for the best view. This Italian eggplant variety takes from 70 to 90 days to reach maturity. In addition, when growing some varieties of eggplant, fertilizer may reduce bitterness caused by … A 5-gallon bucket is the minimum I would recommend for growing eggplants. Fairytale, Bambino, and white eggplants are all great choices for container planting too. How to Cook Chinese Eggplant. Most people think of eggplants as large, oval fruits with a deep purple color. For the best results, fill a seed tray with a non-soil growing medium, like vermiculite or compost. The flowers are gorgeous, and the eggplants look like little (or big) molded sculptures. Purple Striped Eggplant. Millionaire boasts classic dark-purple fruits. Localized weather patterns, drought, excessive rain, insects, biblical plagues, raccoons, etc. This eggplant variety tastes sweet and tender for all types of recipes. Growing eggplants in the veggie garden can be so rewarding when the time comes to harvest these tasty, versatile plants. The higher the organic matter content of the soil the better, so incorporate a 3- to 4-inch layer of compost if possible. Eggplant needs warm conditions, and will not thrive during a cool season. It will grow as a perennial in growing zones 10 and 11. The fruit features ivory skin, and grows to about 6-inches long. The large fruit and early harvesting nature of the plant make it a great choice to grow at home. Large round to oval fruit 4 to 6 inches long, 5 inches in diameter; Elongated eggplant fruit:. It has a mild flavor that tastes similar to mushroom. This white eggplant takes up to 65 days to mature. Florida Market – This is one of the most common varieties available. To grow eggplant, start by planting your seeds 6 to 9 weeks before the last frost is expected. Gardening is unpredictable, but I have used these guidelines with success in the past few years, and I hope this helps you plan and grow the the best … Eggplants can only grow in warm soil—50 degrees Fahrenheit or above. It produces small, white oval fruit. What can’t you do with Chinese eggplant? See to it that the seeds are disease-free. If the weather is not warm enough eggplant will patiently sit there until temperatures rise. Black Beauty – this classic eggplant is grown commercially and found in grocery stores. Eggplant is a crop found across the globe, and in many varieties. If this is the route you wish to go, you will need a pretty large container. Eggplant (family Solanaceae; Solanum melongena) is thought to have originated in Southern to Southeastern Asia. Eggplant is closely related to pepper, tomato, tobacco and potato, and shares diseases with some of these crops. In this growing guide we will be talking all about eggplants! Elongated Eggplant. If you’re undecided about which eggplant variety you should grow in your garden, consider the following conditions before choosing your eggplant seeds or seedlings: Japanese and Chinese eggplants are long and slender with thin skin and a mild flavor. For the best flavor, pick the fruit when it’s white. These eggplants are long and thin and have very dark, glossy skin. Container and Pot Sizes: How Much Soil Do I Need. Oriental type. Varieties Sicilian. It produces large, meaty fruit with lavender or ivory colored skin. Pick the fruit before the glossy, dark skin begins to fade. This Japanese eggplant variety is the most popular. Both the productivity and flavor of this Japanese variety are exceptional. Rosa Bianca – a lovely Italian variety with lavender and white fruit. Remove all weeds and till the soil to loosen it to a depth of 6 to 10 inches. Harvest To Table Wait to plant eggplant (either by starting seeds or seedlings) until the soil temperatures are higher than 50 degrees F (10 C), and all danger of frost has passed. This will give your seedlings the best chance at survival. may affect the efficacy of this guide. They’re the sweetest-tasting... Indian Eggplant. Staying in Europe, but moving from France to Italy, ‘Clara’ is an Italian hybrid that produces a … Florida friendly varieties are Black Beauty, Ichiban, and Long. Eggplant provides 6 to 10 percent of daily needs of important manganese for Healthy Bones and source of B Vitamins – Herald, How to Store Harvest, Cure, and Store Winter Squash. If planted in early spring, eggplant grows best in light sandy soils; loam is preferred for later crops. By understanding what eggplants need to grow … The plant produces long, slender fruit, reaching up to 10 inches. Eggplant Varieties: Best Bets and Easy-to-Grow Large oval eggplant:. (The color and glossiness of the eggplant determine the best time to harvest, rather than the fruit’s size.) Most people think of eggplants as large, oval fruits with a deep purple … Then, plant 1 to 2 seeds in each container and wait … Eggplant prefers light, humus-rich, well-drained, warm soil. Grows beautifully in garden beds or containers. It takes from 58 to 70 days to reach maturity. The sun-loving eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a perennial that can be grown as an annual in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 10. On a sunny day, soil temperatures inside black pots may be 10 degrees or more higher than in-ground soil temperatures. The young eggplants are lavender, and turn purple as they grow. Pinching the terminal buds (top-most growing tips) will cultivate a bushier form. Start eggplant seeds about eight weeks before planting outside. The best time to plant eggplant is in late spring after the last threat of frost. Soil. Try them in this recipe, from North Carolina reader Allyson Meyler.It calls for conventional eggplant, but the Chinese eggplant’s inherent sweetness will be accentuated by the lime juice and sesame, letting the spices shine. Eggplant leaves are large and coarse, and the stem is often spiny. The following eggplant varieties are not only easier than some to grow, but they have a flavor that you’ll love. Large Eggplant. Eggplant is a warm loving plant and cool weather will slow its growth. Good flavor and quality. Whether you’re planting in a vegetable garden, in containers or ornamental beds, choose an area that has good drainage and slightly acidic soil. These include: Small Eggplant. Eggplants have a long growing season, so you’ll need to start them indoors around eight weeks before your region’s last frost date. Matures in 80 days. The fruit’s full size is about 5 inches. Feeding eggplants during their growing and fruiting stages improves the overall health of the plant. Add a cage to your eggplant to help support stems when heavy with fruit. The following Asian eggplant varieties are favorites for good taste and texture. Fairy Tale – One of my favorite types, this prolific plant bears small, slender, light-purple fruits with white splotches. Clay or plastic pot will be good choices. If you have something more significant, use it. Sicilian heirlooms have striped skins that can range from dark purple and white to rose and white. Also, read the instructions from the manufacturer to learn how to properly take care of the plant. Eggplant is easy to grow, and some varieties are so beautiful they can be used as ornamentals. The best time to plant eggplant is on a day that’s warm, cloudy, and windless. Here are the names of some of these varieties. They shine in stir fries, as pickles or braised. Clara. The plant produces large, purple, oval fruit. Place in full sun, and feed regularly. Most white eggplant cultivars are smaller than purple eggplants. Traditional Oval Eggplants. The following eggplant varieties produce this traditional shaped eggplant. Eggplant (solanum melongena), or aubergine, is a perennial, warm-season vegetable from the nightshade family.Eggplants come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors.The most common eggplant variety in the US is the globe eggplant—this hefty … Anticipate eggplant flea beetles. Casper: An ivory-skinned, slightly elongated eggplant that fruits in about 70 days, Casper’ grows well even in northern gardens. Trimming Eggplant for More Fruit Production, Eggplant Height Varies Depending on the Variety, When Is the Best Time to Pick White Eggplant, A Simple Solution for White Eggplant Leaves, Garden area with full sun for six hours each day, Temperature range of 70°F (21°C) to 85°F (29°C), Well drained soil with a pH of 6.2 to 6.8, Enough space to plant seedlings 36 inches apart and rows 2 feet apart. Learn all about growing eggplant, including the best eggplant varieties, how to prevent pests, growing eggplant in containers and simple tips for cooking baba ghanouj and caponata. Transplant outdoors after nighttime low temperatures have risen above 50°F. The best time to plant eggplant in Florida is April. They can be bell-shaped or round with pure white or ivory-colored skin and cream flesh. The many colors, sizes and shapes of eggplant varieties make it hard to decide which one is the best to grow. This Asian variety takes about 70 days to mature. Privacy Policy, « Corn Varieties: Best Bets and Easy-to-Grow, Melon Growing Problems: Troubleshooting ». Long slender cylindrical fruit., 7 to10 inches in... White eggplant:. If you buy plants from a garden center, choose sturdy plants up to a foot tall. Slice Millionaires into rounds and make eggplant parmesan or baba ghanoush. Taking up to 85 days to mature, Black Beauty is the most popular eggplant variety for gardeners. Growing eggplant would be ridiculously easy if not for eggplant flea … Eggplant is a very tender vegetable that grows best in growing zones 5–12. What Is the Best Place for Growing Eggplant? This popular variety matures in 70 days. Cultivation methods are similar to those for pepper, but it is more heat tolerant and cold sensitive. Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a warm weather perennial that grows as an annual in the U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 10. Young fruit is pure white and yellows as it matures. The plant itself can grow up to six feet tall, and may need to be supported. Eggplants grow best in a compost-rich, fertile soil under full sun. This eggplant variety is a good choice for containers. Before choosing an eggplant variety, analyze your growing conditions and eggplant shapes and sizes. It is imp… Each plant produces a half dozen or more fruits with a mild, non-bitter flavor and small seeds. There are several varieties to choose from with a range of sizes, shapes, and colors. Eggplant prefers well-drained, fertile, sandy loam soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.2. Southern slopes that warm early in the spring may yield better. Your email address will not be published. Listada de Gandia – attractive white and lavender striped fruit. Eggplants (Solanum melongena) prefer at least six to eight hours of full sun and well-drained soil. Deep, well-drained sandy loam soils are ideal for eggplant. “Eggplant seeds should be started indoors in mid-spring under grow lights or in a sunny window,” says Niki Jabbour, the author of “The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener.” Sometimes... Japanese Eggplant. It’s ideal for container growing. It can be stressed easily just like tomatoes and peppers. Warm Areas: SeptemberTemperate Areas: Late September – October (after frost risk has passed)Cool to Cold Areas: October Large and coarse, and turn purple as they grow a lovely Italian variety with or! Degrees or more higher than in-ground soil temperatures day that ’ s white to! Days to mature, Black Beauty, Ichiban, and windless tall, and colors in light sandy ;. 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