Eggplant Cultivation
Eggplants thrive best in full sun where summers are hot and long.
It takes all summer for the plants to produce fruit. A long growing
season with temperatures between 70° F and 85° is best.
Eggplants prefer well drained soils such as sandy loam amended
with potash, compost and peat. Too much nitrogen from too much compost
can cause the plants to produce too many leaves. So, don’t
overdo it. Soil pH should be between 5.8 and 6.5. The best way to
determine your soil’s fertilizer needs is to have it tested
at your local Southern States dealer. If you are unable to have
your soil tested, you can apply 3 pounds of 5-10-10 per 100 square
feet.
Start seeds indoors 8 to 9 weeks before the last frost date in
your area. Eggplant seeds germinate best at 70° to 90°F.
When seedlings are 6 to 8 weeks old, begin to harden them off in
preparation fro transplanting. Plant them in the garden after all
danger of frost has past and soil temperatures are warm.
If you purchase seedlings from a garden center for transplanting
into your garden, avoid plants that are tall and spindly. Purchase
plants without blossoms. Blossoms on newly planted seedlings will
slow the growth and establishment of the plant. This will reduce
fruit yield on the mature plant later.
Plants should be spaced in rows 3 to 4 feet apart with individual
plants spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. Sidedress your eggplants with 3
ozs. of lime per 10 feet of row when the fruits are the size of
quarters. Sidedress them again three weeks later.
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Japanese Eggplants
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Water your eggplant crop to a soil depth of 6 inches often enough
to keep the garden uniformly moist. Maintaining adequate water supply
is most essential when the plants are setting fruit and throughout
the fruiting period. A good layer of mulch will help to keep soil
evenly moist and discourages weeds.
Harvest eggplants when the fruits are of good size but before the
flesh becomes tough. The fruit is ripe when a fingernail print remains
on the skin when the flesh is lightly pressed. Transplants obtained
at a garden center will most likely reach maturity 60 to 80 days
after planting. Eggplants raised from seed will take longer at 100
to 120 days. Harvest the fruits by cutting the stems with a garden
knife. Harvest eggplants at least once per week when the fruits
ripen. Twice a week is optimal.
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