Eggplant
Select Your Climate
Buying eggplant seedlings will speed up the process dramatically, especially for cooler climate gardeners with a short growing season.
Likes: Deep, rich, well-drained soil and warm temperatures.
Dislikes: Cold feet: they sulk if planted in cold soil.
When to plant/sow in zone:
Soil:
A few weeks ahead of planting incorporate into your soil plenty of well-rotted organic matter such as compost
How to start: Sow seed 5mm deep in punnets; keep moist but not drenched. Grow seedlings on in pots until soil is warm. Plant into compost enriched soil 45cm apart.
How to grow: Keep moist and fertilise every two months. Stake plants to support them in fruit.
When to harvest: Use secateurs to snip off fruit while still firm and shiny – old fruit become dry, seedy and bitter.
Pests and diseases: Fungal diseases; aphids
Suppliers: The Diggers Club Garden Express
Wondering what to plant when?
Use our planner to create a planting calendar for your climate zone
View Planting Guide
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