How Grow Eggplant

Due to their distinctive tall and angular growth habit, eggplants need generous spacing in the garden – allow 24 to 36 inches between plants. Before planting, enrich each planting hole with 2 inches of well-rotted compost to enhance soil moisture retention and nutrient availability. When transplanting, maintain the same soil depth as the original container and apply a layer of mulch after thoroughly watering to establish the plants.

While eggplants reach full maturity around the 100-day mark, you’ll want to harvest them earlier for optimal flavor and texture. Plan to begin picking fruits approximately 70-80 days after transplanting your seedlings. The ideal harvest window is when fruits reach 6-9 inches in length and display a glossy skin finish. Young eggplants consistently offer superior taste and tenderness compared to fully mature ones.

Eggplants can be surprisingly accommodating for gardeners of all skill levels, thanks to their vigorous early growth. Their large leaves help them develop more rapidly than other nightshade family members like tomatoes or peppers. In regions with extended warm seasons, you can even implement a split-season planting strategy, starting a second batch of seeds in midsummer for a fall harvest. For best results when transplanting, choose overcast days to minimize transplant shock.

Eggplants are sun-loving vegetables that demand full sunlight exposure – ensure they receive a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth. Insufficient light or partial shade conditions will significantly impact plant development, resulting in stunted growth and poor fruit production. Proper sun exposure is crucial for developing healthy, productive plants that yield abundant harvests.