Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Planting. Eggplant seeds are slow to germinate. To speed things up, soak the seeds
overnight and plant immediately the next morning, about a month before outdoor plant-
ing time. Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep.
Transplanting outdoors. Eggplants shouldn't be set outside until warm weather has
settled in, usually about two weeks after your last frost date. Figure back for your area
and start seeds indoors about eight weeks before planting out. (See page 201.)
Before setting out your transplants, harden them off for two weeks. Set plants 2 feet
apart in rows 3 feet apart. Some dwarf varieties can go closer. When preparing the bed
for the transplants, cultivate deeply and dig a hole 8 inches deep. Put a cup of balanced
fertilizer and 2 cups of compost in the bottom of the hole. Mix the soil you're going to
use to fill the hole with a cup of this same mixture. Set in your seedlings at the same
height they were growing in their containers, and water thoroughly once you've firmed
down the earth around the plant. Keep moist the first 10 days but do not soak them.
Growing needs. Eggplant is a heavy feeder and requires regular, deep watering. During
the growing season, fertilize every four weeks. Compost is a good choice, especially if
mixed with a little balanced fertilizer. Avoid giving plants too much nitrogen, or plants
may produce more leaves than fruits. Water as needed to keep soil evenly moist for the
best-tasting eggplants. Mulch about 2 inches deep to help keep soil moist.
How to Harvest
Mature Asian eggplants are smaller than the ones you're probably used to. The size at
maturity depends on which variety you're growing; ranging from the size of a large egg
to a medium zucchini. Pick eggplants immature rather than fully ripened, before seeds
are brown. The skin should be glossy and smooth; dull skin is a sign of being over ripe.
Pick eggplants often and the plants will bear for months — a four-month fruiting
period is not unusual where the growing season is long enough. If you're used to classic
large Italian varieties such as 'Black Beauty', you'll be stunned the first time you grow
an Asian variety. Instead of a crop of 8 or 10 you may find yourself picking 30 or 40
from a single plant.
Varieties
Good varieties abound, most of them much earlier than standard eggplants.
Varieties to look for: Ping Tung, Hybrid Purple Excel, Ma-Zu Purple.
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