Eggplant seed can be sown directly in the garden if the soil temperature is warm enough—and there are enough days in the season for plants to reach maturity. Seedlings started indoors should be kept under grow lights or in a sunny window after germination. Keep the indoor nighttime temperature above 62°F (17°C).
How do I plant eggplant seeds in my garden?
To plant: Start eggplant seeds indoors up to 10 weeks before the last frost date. Plant the seeds 1/4inch deep, water after planting and cover loosely with plastic to retain moisture. Transplant the seedlings to the garden when soil temperatures reach 60 degrees.
Can eggplant be directly planted?
Though the transplant is what is most commonly adopted, however, eggplant can also be sown directly in the soil. The main thing to watch out for is to ensure that the soil temperature is warm and conducive enough.
How do you plant eggplant in the ground?
Space eggplant 24 to 36 inches apart and stake them once established to prevent toppling. Choose an area with abundant sunlight and fertile, well-drained soil. Improve native soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. Keep soil moist but not soggy—soaker hoses are a great option.
How long does it take for eggplant seeds to germinate?
6-21 days
Sow eggplant seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 75-90°F. Sow seeds 1/4″ deep. Seeds will sprout in 6-21 days.
What is the best month to plant eggplant?
4. How to grow eggplant? Plant eggplant at the correct time
- Start seeds indoors: December 15 – January and May 1 – June.
- Plant transplants outside: March and July 15 – August 15.
Should I soak eggplant seeds before planting?
I recommend soaking your seeds in water for up to 24 hours. This can increase the amount of seeds that germinate and how quickly they sprout. Use organic potting soil if you are seed-starting indoors or in small containers to be transplanted outside. Sow eggplant seed ¼ to ½ inch deep spaced 4 to 5 inches apart.
Do eggplants grow back every year?
Eggplant plants can come back every year but they usually won’t. Eggplants rarely survive long past the harvest months. A perennial plant eggplant is a rarity outside of tropical climates. Eggplants can come back every year in ideal, tropical conditions.
How do you direct sow eggplant seeds?
Direct sowing of eggplant
- Dig furrows 20 inches (50 cm) apart.
- Place 2 to 3 seeds in the ridge at 20 inch (50 cm) intervals.
- Cover with light soil.
- Water regularly.
- Once sprouted, keep the sprout that is most vigorous in every seed hole.
How many seeds does it take to grow an eggplant per hole?
2-3 seeds
Exceptions to The Rule
Like most things in gardening, there are always exceptions to this rule of 2-3 seeds per hole. If you’re planting large seeds like cucumbers, melons, or pumpkins, you should only use one seed per hole.
What is the secret for growing eggplant?
Like fellow members of the nightshade plant family, eggplant needs full sun to develop and produce. One of the biggest secrets of all for growing eggplant with success is to give it plenty of light. Eggplant is a beautiful plant in the garden, with large foliage and colorful fruit that suspends from above.
How deep should you plant eggplant?
Start eggplant seeds about eight weeks before planting outside. Plant seeds one-fourth inch deep, in flats containing sterile, soilless germination mix. Use a heating mat to keep the flat at 75°F to 85°F until seedlings emerge. Carefully monitor potting mix moisture, as heating mats will dry the mix out faster.
Can you plant 2 eggplants together?
Two feet (61 cm.) apart is fine, although 2 ½ feet (76 cm.) apart will keep you from accidentally breaking branches as you are harvesting your eggplant fruits. If you are planting lots of eggplant and need rows, leave an area 30-36 inches (76-91.5 cm.)
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.
Is eggplant easy to grow from seed?
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.
What is best fertilizer for eggplant?
Start by working lots of compost into the soil, plus 2 to 3 pounds of a complete fertilizer like 15-5-10 per 100 sq. ft. If you prefer, use an organic fertilizer like blood meal, well-rotted manure, cottonseed meal or bat guano. Burpee’s Big Boy Tomato Food is also super for eggplants.
How many eggplants can 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.
How often should eggplant be watered?
Water eggplant deeply and infrequently, applying 1-2 inches per week. Use drip irrigation if possible. Mulching around the plant will conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Irrigate so that moisture goes deeply into the soil.
Is July too late to plant eggplant?
Tomato, eggplant, and pepper plants can be put into the ground at the end of June; once the temperatures warm up in July these plants will take off and grow quickly. Bean and squasha seeds can be sown if they are in the ground by July 1st.
How long does it take for eggplant to bear fruit?
The majority of eggplants reach their full maturity and are ready for harvesting 60-80 days after transplanting.
When can you plant eggplant seeds?
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.