Table of Contents
As the plants grow and bear, they will need support. I use tomato cages or wire loops to give my eggplants a shoulder to lean on. Asian varieties will grow to about 18 inches tall, and the larger-fruited plants usually grow 24 to 36 inches tall. If you’ve treated the crop well, you should have a bountiful harvest.
Do eggplants need a trellis?
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.
How many eggplants do you get per plant?
The standard eggplant produces egg-shaped, glossy, purple-black fruit. ‘Black Beauty’ is the traditional eggplant size. One plant produces 4 to 6 large rounded fruit.
How Big Should I let my eggplant grow?
But you can leave them too long. Eggplant should be harvested when they are one-third to two-thirds full mature size. But size can be confusing. There are many eggplant varieties, and they produce fruit of many different sizes.
How tall is a classic eggplant?
Height: Grows 24″ to 36″ tall. How To Grow: Plant in full sun.
What should you not plant next to eggplant?
Eggplant – A good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach, and thyme. Do not plant eggplants near fennel.
Can eggplant and tomatoes be planted together?
Tomatoes are often used as eggplant companions. Again, be sure not to shade the eggplant. Potatoes and spinach are also said to make great companion plantings too.
Do eggplants grow back every year?
Although eggplant is a perennial, it is more commonly grown as an annual.
Should I pinch off eggplant flowers?
Pruning Eggplant Suckers Even if you don’t want to cut back your eggplant drastically, it’s a good idea to remove suckers. Pinching off these suckers when they’re small will allow the plant to focus more of its energy on fruit production, resulting in larger, more impressive eggplants.
What month to plant eggplant?
Eggplants can only grow in warm soil—50 degrees Fahrenheit or above. The best time to plant eggplant is in late spring after the last threat of frost. Eggplants have a long growing season, so you’ll need to start them indoors around eight weeks before your region’s last frost date.
How long does it take for eggplant to grow from flower?
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.
Will eggplant ripen off the vine?
Eggplants do not ripen off the vine and deteriorate rapidly, becoming spongy. Eat the eggplant as soon as possible after picking it. You can store it overnight at room temperature.
Is eggplant a vine or shrub?
Eggplant is usually grown as an annual and features an erect bushy stem that is sometimes armed with spines. The leaves are large, ovate, and slightly lobed. The pendant violet flowers are characteristically solitary and approximately 5 cm (2 inches) across.
Can you grow eggplant on a trellis?
Yes, it’s wise to create a support for eggplants. Staking eggplant keeps the fruit from touching the ground, which in turn, reduces the risk of disease and fosters fruit shape, especially for elongated eggplant varieties. Staking eggplant also makes for easier harvesting.
Can you grow eggplant vertically?
Yes, vertical gardening with eggplants is indeed a possibility. The benefit to eggplant, or any veggie, is that it keeps the plant and resulting fruit off the ground and away from any pests that might want a snack, and lowers the chances of soil-borne diseases.
How do you grow eggplant in a raised bed?
Try growing eggplants in raised beds, which heat up quickly in spring. Plants given plenty of room are healthier and more productive, so space them 2½ to 3 feet apart in all directions. Water well, pour 1 to 2 cups of compost around each plant, and firm the soil gently.
Why should you not plant cucumbers near tomatoes?
When growing these two crops together, you must consider the potential for disease. Phytophthora blight and root rot are more serious issues as these disease pathogens can ravage both cucumbers and tomatoes.
Do cucumbers and eggplant grow well together?
(Other members of the nightshade family, like tomato plants and eggplants, are fine to plant with cucumbers.) Sage. Apart from dill, many aromatic herbs interfere with cucumber plants in the garden—and sage is perhaps the worst offender.
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.
Where should I plant eggplant in my garden?
Plant eggplant when soil temps are above 50° F and all chances of frost have passed. Space eggplant 24 to 36 inches apart and stake them once established to prevent toppling. Choose an area with abundant sunlight and fertile, well-drained soil.
Should I trim eggplant leaves?
ANSWER: Eggplants, like fellow nightshade family member tomatoes benefit from staking and pruning. Unlike tomatoes, which are pruned down to a single stalk, eggplant should be pruned to three main branches. Prune your eggplant early so that a leaf canopy forms before fruiting to prevent sunburning the fruit.
Do eggplants 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.
