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How long does it take for eggplant to grow?
Eggplants are ready to harvest as soon as 70 days after sowing the seeds. Harvest fruits with skin that is glossy and thin. Eggplants can be harvested when they are small, though growing them longer allows for a larger harvest. Harvestable fruits should be firm and inside seeds should not be visible once cut open.
How do you grow eggplant in a garden?
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.
How big does an eggplant plant get?
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.
Is eggplant a bush or vine?
Is eggplant a bush or a vine? When eggplants get enough sun and their soil has plenty of drainage, they grow into plants that are tall and bushy. However, the heaviness of the fruits can cause the stems of the plant to lay along the ground, giving them the appearance of vines.
Can eggplants grow in pots?
Even if you garden in a small garden bed, or grow your vegetables in containers on the patio or balcony, you can grow eggplant. Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. Fill the container with a high quality potting soil that will drain quickly.
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.
Do eggplants need 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.
Does eggplant 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.
Are eggplants hard 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 many eggplants will one plant produce?
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.
What can I plant with eggplant?
Additional Eggplant Companions Peppers, both sweet and hot, make good companion plants, as they have the same growing needs and are susceptible to the same pests and diseases. Tomatoes are often used as eggplant companions. Potatoes and spinach are also said to make great companion plantings too.
How do you care for eggplant plants?
Water regularly, especially when the plants are young so that they develop deep roots. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease, but consider using mulch to keep soil moist, warm, and to keep weeds down. Generally, eggplants should get an inch (2.5 cm.) of rain or watering per week.
Do eggplants grow back every year?
Although eggplant is a perennial, it is more commonly grown as an annual.
How long does it take for eggplant to bear fruit?
Eggplant is easy to grow as long as the plants get enough light and heat. How long does it take to grow eggplant? In general, it takes 100 to 120 days to go from seed to harvestable eggplants.
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 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.
How often do you water eggplants?
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 eggplant be grown indoors?
Eggplants are self-pollinating, but they rely upon the wind and insect activity to move pollen to flowers. With a bit of extra work, growing eggplants inside is possible, and you can expect some fruit with good care.
Do eggplants grow in fall?
Question: Will my eggplant plant continue to produce through the fall and winter? Answer: They are warm season vegetables so they slow down considerably as temperatures drop. Although eggplants will keep growing and flowering, they are more productive if cut back and allowed to regrow during late summer.
