Growing Eggplant, also Aubergine

Solanum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S S              
        T T T          
      P P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 (can grow beside): Beans, capsicum, lettuce, amaranth, thyme
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
12 Feb 24, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
May be no bees - try hand pollination in the mornings.
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21 Nov 23, Samuel Sehloho (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like to know about an eggplant. seedlings, after planting them how long are they going to last on the soil?
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25 Nov 23, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Do mean how long will they grow - best to read the notes about growing them.
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27 Sep 23, Zorbie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My Black Beauty eggplants look to be fully grown but have green stripes/tinge on the bottom.Should I wait to see if the green colour disappears or are they ready to harvest now? I'm on the Gold Coast
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28 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Eat them - don't let them become old. Better to pick a little smaller rather than really big.
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11 Aug 23, Jock Macdonald (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How to hand pollinate egg plant
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06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Give the bush a light shake about 9-10am.
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01 Jun 23, Julie Tasker (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Do I pull the eggplant bush up or cut back over winter?
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10 Jun 23, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I plant new seeds/seedlings each year.
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22 Mar 23, Kim H (USA - Zone 10a climate)
What eggplant grow best in zone 10A? Our nights get pretty chilly through July, although days can be quite warm.
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Showing 11 - 20 of 351 comments
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Sally-Anne you are so right about using egg plant in curries,the variety I use is the small one just about ready when they are about 10 centimetres long and still have a mauve colour.

- Roy

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