Eggplant
Solanum melongena
A Basic Growing Guide
Description
If you have ever watched British gardening shows, you were likely a little confused the first time you saw them point to a big, glossy purple vegetable and called it an ‘aubergine’. In fact, aubergine is the orignal English word for eggplant. The term ‘eggplant’ was coined later on to describe the white variety of eggplant because they resembled…well, eggs. But eggplants have been grown in vegetable gardens far longer than English has even been a language. Many agree they are native to Southest Asia, where they still grow in the wild, but they have also been used in African and Arabic cuisine for thousands of years. Eggplants thrive in warm climates and produce fruits that are as versatile as they are nutritious, packed with fiber, vitamins B1 and B6, and antioxidants. With their striking appearance and delightful taste, eggplants can be grilled, roasted, stuffed, or turned into delectable dishes like ratatouille and baba ghanoush. Eggplants belong to the nightshade family, which also includes tomatoes and potatoes!
Some Common Varieties
Black Beauty: A classic variety with large, deep purple fruits.
Ichiban: A Japanese variety with slender, elongated fruits that are glossy and dark purple.
Fairy Tale: A charming variety with small, striped purple and white fruits.
White Egg: An heirloom variety with smooth, white, egg-shaped fruits.
Eggplant Through The Season
Planting Instructions
Light Requirements
Eggplants need full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
When
Plant eggplants after the danger of frost has passed, typically in mid to late May, when the soil has warmed up.
Seed or Transplant?
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost, then transplant seedlings into the garden.
Depth
Transplant seedlings so that the base of the stem is at soil level.
Spacing
1-2 feet apart. For our “intensively” planted gardens, we use 1 foot spacing.
Growth Habit
Eggplants grow upright and can reach heights of 2-4 feet, often requiring staking or support.
Tending
Watering
Water eggplants deeply and consistently, about 1-2 inches per week. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Common Pests and Treatments
Flea Beetles: Small, black beetles that chew tiny holes in leaves. Use row covers if you want to keep them away entirely. But we find that flea beetles aren’t as much of a danger once the plant gets bigger.
Aphids: Tiny, green or black insects that cluster on new growth. Spray off with a stream of water.
Spider Mites: Tiny, red or yellow mites that cause stippling on leaves. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Common Diseases and How to Treat
Southern Blight: A fungal disease that occurs during hot and humid weather which causes the plant to wilt and eventually die. Identified by a brown canker at the base of the stem near the soil line. Remove affected plants.
Leaf Spot: A fungal disease that occurs in wet weather. Starts out as yellow spots on the leaves that grow bigger and become dry and brown in the middle. Usually not severe enough to kill the plant but copper fungicide can be applied to help control.
Learn more about preventing and treating common plant diseases in Tennessee
Feeding/Fertilizing
Apply a balanced organic fertilizer every 3-4 weeks, such as GardenTone.
Pruning
Prune eggplants to remove any damaged or diseased leaves and to maintain airflow. Pinching off the first flowers can help the plant establish stronger growth.
Harvesting
When
Harvest eggplants when the fruits are firm, glossy, and have reached the desired size. If you let it grow too large, the skin of the fruit will dull and the flesh will taste bitter. If this happens to you- what a great learning experience! Now you know how big is too big.
How
Cut the fruits from the plant with a sharp knife or pruners, leaving a small stem attached. Handle the fruits gently to avoid bruising.
Then What?
After harvesting, eggplants should be stored in a cool, dry place and used within a week for the best flavor and texture. Eggplants can also be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. Regular harvesting will promote continued fruiting throughout the season.
Eggplant Recipes
Steamed Eggplant from ‘Funky Asian Kitchen’