Select your climate zone Australia - cool/mountain Australia - sub-tropical Australia - temperate Australia - tropical New Zealand - cool/mountain New Zealand - sub-tropical New Zealand - temperate

Bring on in seed trays, then plant out seedlings. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
Best planted at soil temperatures between 24°C and 32°C.

Needs a long season. Start under cover and plant out when frosts have finished. Mulch well and keep well watered. May need staking

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
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September: Bring on in pots - need a long growing season

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Eggplant

Cut and use the same day if possible.
Slice, no need to peel, and fry in olive oil.
Brush with oil and grill
Or microwave,plain, for about 4 minutes on high.
Makes a good substitute for pasta in lasagne or moussaka.
Can be smoked over a gas ring or barbecue, cooled and peeled and used to make dips.

Your comments and tips

16 May 08 johneen ford (Unknown climate)

Can anyone tell me if eggplants still grow during winter. I am reluctant to pull my plant out as it is flowering again. Will it fruit again???

16 May 08 Chris (Unknown climate)

If you can protect eggplant from getting too cold (especially frosts) then they can keep growing and fruiting for years.

15 Jun 08 Susan Lockwood-Devlin (Unknown climate)

We are interested in growing eggplant on our property but need some advise re temp/soil/length of time before fruiting? Taminick Victoria. Near Glenrowan and Wangaratta Would appreciate any advise you have. Thank you in advance, Susan.

18 Jun 08 Liz (Unknown climate)

Susan, if you can start your eggplants in pots under cover in winter, they will have a good start and you can plant them out when no danger of frost. They will take a while to start flowering but seem to set fruit well once they start. I find that they need at least 3 months of warm, frost free weather to get a good crop. They also need plenty of water (mulching helps). The long slim varieties - "Japanese" or "Asian" are earlier and more prolific fruiters.

13 Jul 08 Jan van (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

On the Sunshine Coast. Growing eggplant for the first time. Planted seeds early June. No frost here. Now 7"- 8" high. surrounded by silverbeet and shallots. Parsley, Rosemary and garlic Chives in same garden. Organic. Fertilize with liquid (seaweed etc ) and cow manure. Use sugar cane mulch on all gardens. Last put down in March. Any info useful.

14 Jul 08 Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Jan, Eggplants should do well in your area. Remember to keep them well watered, drying out stops growth and flower production. They may need staking, depending on variety.

15 Jul 08 Joanne (Australia - temperate climate)

I seem to have these little grubs burrowing into and eating my fruit. you cant really see that they are there untill you chop the fruit in half. does anyone know what these are and how to get rid of them?