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Growing Eggplant, also Aubergine

(Solanum sp.)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  S S   P              

(Best months for planting Eggplant in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.


  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 75°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 - 30 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-15 weeks. Cut fruit with scissors or sharp knife.
  • Compatible with: Beans, capsicum, lettuce, amaranth, thyme
  • Avoid growing with: Potatoes
  • A seedling
  • Eggplant

Your comments and tips

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11 Dec 12, Jack (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I think what you are describing is not actually an Eggplant but a related species. Try looking up Solanum mauritianum. It is an invasive weed, I had one recently and immediately thought it looked like an Eggplant. Do not eat! it is posinous.
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15 Sep 12, Anne Eaton (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My eggplant is mature and has lots and lots of flowers and leaves but no fruit. What am i doing wrong?
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29 Oct 12, Vai (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Anne, The only thing I can suggest is sprinkling some sulphate of potash around the plant and watering it in. Alternatively, you could bury a couple of bananas (with skin) around the plant but I'd suggest the concentrated sulphate of potash. As you probably know, potassium promotes healthy flower and fruit growth in most plants. Nitrogen promotes new stem and leaf growth so its possible you have too much nitrogen in the soil (using cow or sheep manure?) and not enough potassium.
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13 Jul 12, julie (Australia - tropical climate)
They could be sun burnt. Even in winter sun strong enough to burnt the tender skin of your eggplants
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03 Jun 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
You need to cross-pollinate manually. Bees are the pollinators. We had bees in the garden & fruit on the eggplants, then no bees & no fruit. The flowers are hermaphrodite. Pick a freshly opened flower from one bush & gently brush the stamen against flowers on other plants.
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24 May 12, Mandy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am trying to grow a lebanese eggplant. The plant was completely healthy two three days ago. Then suddenly one of its branches started wilting and now the whole plant looks wilted. Its still got fruit on it which looks fine and flowers don't look wilted at all but the whole plant seems to be dying down. what could be the problem. Could someone please help.
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17 Jan 13, Felicity (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mandy - did you ever find a solution - because you are describing exactly what is happening to my eggplants!!
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16 May 12, Janelle Coppel (Australia - temperate climate)
What months/seasons is the eggplant at its best quality
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06 May 12, Mick Houareau (Australia - temperate climate)
what causes some of my fruit to turn a light brown colour. about half the crop is affected.
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30 Mar 12, Scott (Australia - temperate climate)
Our Lebanese eggplants fruited prolifically this year. However many of them, instead of turning purple have gone a yellowish brown. The fruits feel firm, so they're not rotting. Are they safe for eating? Thank you. Scotty
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i had a simillar problem, but i had heaps of flowers yet they all dropped off after a week or so. i am going to try a fertilizer with a high level of phosphorus.

- lukevdh


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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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