How to Grow Eggplant
Not only is eggplant easy to grow, it is one of the more prolific producers
of the vegetable world. On top of that, it is great in recipes. Eggplant
Parmesan is one of the better known of all Italian recipes. Eggplant is a
very popular European vegetable, especially in the Mediterranean region.
Eggplant is grown and enjoyed all over the world. There are website links
and information in many places among them India, Egypt, China, Japan, Indonesia,
Italy, France and dozens more countries. A web search will result in eggplant
recipes from all corners of the globe.
Varieties of Eggplant:
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The most common are dark purple, sometimes almost black colored Eggplants,
which are either globe or round shaped.
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They also can be slender and straight.
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Other less common varieties can be white, scarlett (reddish) and a yellow
or golden in color.
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An Ornamental Eggplant is also
of great interest. It's edible, and the plant is a unique "conversation piece"
in your garden.
Planting Eggplant:
Eggplant likes hot weather. Plant after the last day of frost for your region.
Plants often are started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost
date, and transplanted as the weather warms in the spring. A second setting
in mid summer, is often started outdoors.
For outdoors planting, select a sunny location. Eggplants like full sun.
Sow seeds very shallow, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. You can even set them on the
soil and lightly water them in. If started outdoors, you can also sow seeds
in a seedbed and transplant plant seedlings to the desired location. Space
1 1/2 feet apart. Space rows 2 to 2 1/2 feet apart.
Growing Eggplant - Care and Feeding:
Before planting, add plenty of compost and manure, as eggplants thrive in
rich soil. Keep the soil moist to promote maximum growth.
Apply a general purpose fertilizer in the spring when you till the soil.
Add additional applications every three to four weeks.
Mulch around the plants to add nutrients, and for moisture retention. Keep
eggplants weed free, so they do not compete for sunlight and nutrients.
Provide frost protection for the plants both spring and fall.
Days to Maturity:
Approximately 55 to 70 days for most varieties, with some little longer.
Insects and Pests:
Aphids, Red Spider mites and whiteflies are common pests. Garden dusts like
Sevin are usually effective.
Disease:
Eggplant does not suffer from too many diseases. But cool weather will slow
down production.
Harvesting:
Begin to harvest eggplants as soon as the first fruit reaches a desirable
size. Keep picking them and do not let them get too big. By continuous
harvesting, you will encourage more fruit to set all the way to frost.
Hardiness:
Eggplant is a hot weather crop. It is susceptible to cold temperatures and
frost. Delay planting in the spring until nighttime temperatures are in the
upper forties. If you start the season early, use hotcaps for cool nights
to help the young seedlings get off to a good, healthy start. If your crop
is still producing in the fall, cover them on cold evenings to extend the
harvest.
More Information:
Eggplant Parmesan Recipe
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