Eggplants
grow into tall, angular plants
, so they should be spaced 24 to 36 inches apart. Improve planting holes by mixing in 2 inches of compost to help hold moisture and fertilizer in the soil. Set plants at the same depth at which they are growing in their containers, and water well before spreading mulch.
Is eggplant easy to grow?
Growing eggplant would be ridiculously easy
if not for eggplant flea beetles. … Eggplant is among the few vegetables that don't mind warm roots, so they grow well in roomy containers provided the plants are given plenty of water.
How long does eggplant take to grow?
Harvest eggplant 65 to 80 days after transplanting, depending on the variety. When starting from seed, expect
100 to 120 days
to maturity. July, August, and September (even into October) are all harvest months for eggplant, depending on where you live and the variety you planted. Don't wait too long to harvest!
What is the best month to plant eggplant?
June
is the month to plant eggplants in the garden.
How do you take care of an eggplant?
Keeping Eggplant Warm
Eggplants are sun lovers. Make sure they get
at least six hours of unobstructed sun per day
—the more sun the better. Also, eggplant, like tomatoes, are heat lovers.
What should you not plant next to eggplant?
Do not plant eggplants near
fennel
. Fennel – Not a companion for any garden food plant, fennel will actually inhibit growth in bush beans, kohlrabi, tomatoes, and others.
Do eggplants grow back every year?
Although eggplant is a perennial,
it is more commonly grown as an annual
. Eggplant flowers are star-shaped in various shades of purple and usually form on opposite leaves as either solitary blooms or grouped in clusters of two or more.
Do eggplants like full sun?
As a basic rule of thumb, vegetables grown for their fruit or roots—such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, potatoes, or carrots—
require full sun
, which is defined as a garden location that receives at least six hours of direct sun each day. … Keep in mind, though, that no vegetable can thrive in deep, dense shade.
What is the best fertilizer for eggplant?
A balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)
is often recommended for eggplant. Feeding too much nitrogen at this point can result in large, leafy plants that fail to produce fruit.
How do you protect eggplant from insects?
Cultural and Mechanical Control. Hosing off your eggplant with
a strong blast from your garden hose
can help control small flea beetle populations. Prevent the pests from even reaching your eggplants by covering seedlings and young plants with floating row covers.
What is the best way to grow eggplant?
Choose a very sunny spot for the best results. Eggplant grows best in a
well-drained sandy loam or loam soil
, fairly high in organic matter. Soil pH should be between 5.8 and 6.5 for best growth. Use a covering of black plastic mulch to warm soils before setting out transplants.
How long does it take for eggplant to grow after flowering?
How long does it take for eggplant to grow after flowering? Depending on the variety and the region in which you are gardening, different cultivars of eggplant will develop mature fruit within
50 to 80 days
after flowering.
Does eggplant need a lot of water?
Watering. Eggplant also needs consistent water,
at least 1 inch per week
. It is better to give one thorough soaking than several frequent, short waterings, because frequent watering promotes shallow roots. Weather and soil type, of course, will affect water demand.
Can you grow tomatoes and eggplants together?
Nightshades
: Other members of the nightshade family, like tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, make good companions for eggplants because they share similar growing requirements. … Broccoli imparts nutrients into the soil, helping your eggplants thrive.
Can I plant eggplant next to cucumbers?
If you want to plant both cucumbers and potatoes in your garden, plant them
far away from one another
. (Other members of the nightshade family, like tomato plants and eggplants, are fine to plant with cucumbers.)
Do eggplant plants need cages?
Like tomatoes and peppers,
eggplants should be staked for optimum growth and yield
(Figure 2). Staking keeps the eggplant fruit from touching the ground, which reduces disease and improves fruit shape, particularly on elongated fruit. Staking also makes harvesting easier.
