Eggplant is generally harvested when fruits are full size, have a glossy sheen, and are 6-8 inches long. Fruits that are firm, plump and fully colored, with smooth skin have the best flavor and quality. Use a knife or pruning shears to cut the stem when harvesting rather than twisting off the fruits.
How big is a regular eggplant?
The large dark purple pear shaped eggplant is the most common. I love the hefty feel of a large fresh eggplant, but the larger they are the less flavorful they will be and the tougher the skin. I generally look for fruit that is no more than about 1 lb (about 8 inches long and 4 inches in diameter).
How many eggplants will 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 big do classic eggplants get?
18-24 inches tall
All varieties of eggplant — also known around the world as aubergine and brinjal — are the same species, Solanum melongena. Black Beauty is an heirloom and the classic eggplant variety, with its large, dark purple fruit. The plants grow 18-24 inches tall and fruit is ready to harvest 74 days after transplanting.
How long is the average eggplant?
Eggplant is a small- to a medium-size bush vegetable that produces smooth, glossy-skinned fruit that can vary in length from 5 to 12 inches (12-30cm) long. Eggplants have large, fuzzy, grayish-green leaves and produce star-shaped lavender flowers with yellow centers.
What is considered a small eggplant?
Baby eggplants are petite with varying shapes from short and stout to slightly elongated and narrow, averaging only 5-7 centimeters in length.
What month do you plant eggplant?
June is the month to plant eggplants in the garden.
Do eggplants need a trellis?
Yes. Eggplants need support because of the weight of the fruit. A simple gardening stake is typically all you need. Staking keeps the fruit from touching the ground and keeps the branches from breaking.
Can eggplants get too big?
Baby eggplants are a delight to eat. But you can leave them too long. Eggplant should be harvested when they are one-third to two-thirds full mature size.
Why are my eggplants so small?
Why are my plants so small and growing slowly? Eggplants are sensitive to the cold. Either a transplant has been planted into cold soil, or a young plant has experienced cold weather, or a transplant that became root bound before being planted may be stunted for a short while or for the full growing season.
What can you not plant with eggplant?
Eggplant – A good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach, and thyme. Do not plant eggplants near fennel. Fennel – Not a companion for any garden food plant, fennel will actually inhibit growth in bush beans, kohlrabi, tomatoes, and others.
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 big is the biggest eggplant?
7 lb 6.6 oz
The heaviest aubergine (Solanum melongena) weighed 3.362 kg (7 lb 6.6 oz) and was grown by Peter Glazebrook (UK) for entry in the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championships, held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire, UK, on 22 September 2022.
Can you eat eggplant leaves?
Eggplant is another member of that infamous nightshade family. Sometimes people are under the impression that eating raw eggplant is poisonous, which isn’t true. However, the leaves and flowers of eggplants will probably make you sick, as that’s where most of the toxic solanine is concentrated.
What is the best tasting eggplant?
Sweet, tender, flavorful and creamy, Fairy Tale are simply the best eggplants we’ve ever tasted,” says Taylor. This quick-cooking variety is so delicious that it doesn’t even need to be salted. Taylor suggests slicing them lengthwise, then tossing them into stir-fries or sautés, or skewering them on the grill.
Can you eat raw eggplant?
Can You Eat Eggplant Raw? Luckily, the answer is yes! While the leaves and flowers can be toxic, the eggplant itself is safe to consume both raw and cooked, and the compound that some might be sensitive to, solanine, is only toxic when consumed in large quantities.
Are small eggplants better?
Choose small eggplant for best flavor
According to SFGATE, selecting small, smooth, shiny eggplants ensures the flesh will be tender and sweet. As eggplant matures, the fruit becomes bitter, light in weight, and the skin becomes dull, wrinkled, and uneven in color.
How long do eggplant plants live?
three years
How long do eggplant plants live? Eggplant plants can live up to three years in very warm climates, like zones 10-12. But in most regions they’re grown as annuals, and only live for one season.
Will eggplant ripen off the vine?
You can ripen eggplants after harvesting, but results vary, depending on the problem. Ripen them on the counter at room temperature. It helps to put the eggplants in a paper bag where they should ripen within a few days.
How long does it take for an eggplant to mature?
around 70 to 80 days
Eggplants do not mature until around the 100-day mark, but you should not wait that long to harvest because young eggplants have the best taste. Prepare to harvest eggplants around 70 to 80 days after transplanting. If your eggplant is about six to nine inches and its skin is glossy, you can begin harvesting.
Can you plant two eggplants together?
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.)