Eggplants are perennial, warm-weather vegetables from the nightshade family that are ideal for grilling, pickling, and incorporating into dishes like stir-fry and baba ghanoush.
Will eggplant come back every year?
You sure can!
It’s called overwintering. And, if your climate is warm enough (or you can keep the plant warm enough) you can keep your same eggplant plant alive for years to come. You can do this with a variety of other plants too, such as peppers (hot or sweet), tomatoes, & okra!
How long do Japanese eggplants live?
Freshly harvested Japanese eggplants will last for a week when kept in a cool place away from direct sunlight, like a root cellar. In humid conditions no lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius, they will keep well for two weeks.
Can eggplant be grown as a perennial?
With proper pruning and feeding, eggplant can be grown as a perennial, though gardeners should be prepared for harvests to decline eventually.
How many Japanese eggplants does one plant produce?
If you want larger fruits from your Japanese eggplants, remove some so that you have perhaps five or six fruits per plant.
How do I protect my eggplant in the winter?
Provide a Cover. Like most outdoor plants during the winter they require a cover to protect them from the frost. Frost can kill plants and can be detrimental to your eggplants. A simple mulch cover over the soil can help to protect your eggplant’s roots and help the soil retain its nutrients.
Do you prune Japanese eggplant?
ANSWER: Eggplants, like fellow nightshade family member tomatoes benefit from staking and pruning. In fact, eggplant actually produces more fruit when pruned. Pruning eggplant can also improve the fruit quality of the plant, and decrease the plant’s susceptibility to disease.
How do you take care of Japanese eggplant?
How to Care for Japanese Eggplants
- Water generously. All nightshade vegetables need generous watering to grow. Japanese eggplants need about an inch of water per week, depending on the soil moisture.
- Compost and mulch your soil.
- Weed often.
- Use a natural or organic pesticide.
- Consider companion planting.
Do eggplant plants keep producing?
Eggplant tastes best when harvested young. Then, the plant’s energy will go into producing new fruit. If you harvest early and often, the plant will be quite prolific.
What is the life cycle of eggplant?
Adult Plants – It takes eggplant 70 to 120 days to reach maturity, depending on the variety. When mature, they have a main stem and several stems that branch out. The stems grow large, leathery leaves that are oval shaped. Some varieties of eggplant leaves can be spiny or hairy.
How cold is too cold for eggplant?
Eggplant is generally more sensitive to cooler temperatures than its cousins, tomatoes and peppers. Flowers consistently set fruit down to 60 F nighttime temperatures. Eggplants begin to get chilling injury at temperatures below 50 F.
Can you eat Japanese eggplant skin?
The Japanese eggplant’s thinner skin may be more easily cooked and consumed than the thick skin of a normal eggplant. The skin is also full of fiber that can help keep you feeling full, regulate your digestion and even lower cholesterol.
Are Japanese eggplant leaves edible?
Native to South Asia, eggplant is a member of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. It is a botanical relative of tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. Like other members of the family Solanaceae, its leaves and flowers are poisonous.
How tall does Japanese eggplant grow?
The plants grow about 2 feet tall and wide, and produce gorgeous dark, deep purple eggplants with matching purple calyxes. These slender fruits grow about 9-10 inches long, and have a mild delicate flavor.
Will eggplant survive a frost?
In general, a frost (31-33 degrees F.) will kill beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peas, pepper, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and watermelon.
What should you not plant next to eggplant?
What Not To Plant With Eggplant. Do not plant fennel near your eggplant. Fennel inhibits growth in many plants, including eggplant. Geraniums can host diseases that also affect eggplant such as leaf blight and root rot, so it is best to avoid planting them with eggplant.
Can you freeze Japanese eggplant?
You can typically keep Japanese eggplant in the freezer for up to one year. However, eggplant can last much longer than a year and still be safe to eat.
Which veggies are perennials?
Perennial Vegetables
- Artichoke (Try Jerusalem, also known as Sunchokes.)
- Asparagus (Keep the bed weed-free, and they’ll produce for 20 years or more.
- Broccoli (Not all varieties are perennial.
- Radicchio.
- Rhubarb.
- Spinach (Not all varieties are perennial.
- Sweet Potato.
- Tree cabbages/tree collards.
Should you prune eggplant plants?
Pruning eggplant stems is best done when the plant is established and has already borne some fruit. If your plant has already gone through a period of production and seems like it’s starting to peter off, this is a good time to do some trimming. When pruning eggplant, the traditional shape to go for has three stems.
What is the best month to plant eggplant?
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.
What is the difference between Japanese eggplant and regular eggplant?
Japanese eggplants, like the Chinese variety, have an oblong shape, but they’re not quite as long or thin and have a darker hue. They have a delicate, spongy texture that works well in stir-fries and a creamy, slightly sweet taste. Japanese eggplant is often grilled, as the variety takes on a beautiful, smoky flavor.