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              
        P              

(Best months for growing Eggplant in USA - Zone 5a 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

15 Feb 10, 2 green thumbs (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Dear Roz, I have just had an explosion of Corriander from seed in seedling trays. I was given fresh seeds off a friends plant, which I dried in a paper bag til brown, then planted them in a seedling tray filled with seed raising mix. Maybe try that.
17 Feb 10, AURELIO (Australia - temperate climate)
HELLO 1ST TIME GROWER PLANTED EVERYTHING IN NOVEMBER MOST THINGS HAVE GROWN BUT CANT SEEM TO STOP THEM LITTLE GREEN WORM LOOKIN THINGS THEY SEEM EAT ALL MY LEAVES AND LEAVE HOLES IN THE LEAVES IVE TRIED SPRAYS POWDERS ANY HELP PLZ P/S IM PROUD OF ME EGG PLANT ITS ONLY GOT 1 AT MOMENT BUT ITS GROWIN GREAT
26 Feb 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Aurelio, If it's green caterpillars then try using Dipel, which is a bacteria product that only affects caterpillars. Best not to use sprays/powders as they don't affect caterpillars, but they will hurt beneficial insects. Some wasps will attack caterpillars, so make sure you have flowers around to attract the wasps, and don't use pesticides as they harm the good bugs that help keep things in balance.
02 Mar 10, Pru (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
To stop flowers falling off plants put a 10 cm straight line of Epsom salts about an inch away from the main stem. Works a treat. I now have 9 fruit on one plant.
14 Mar 10, Glynis (Australia - temperate climate)
I am having the same bug problem as Diana, 7 Apr 09. What can I do about it. The plants are fruiting well, but by the time they are grapefruit size they are going brown/yellow and full of grubs.
15 Mar 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Glynis, Could be fruit fly. There are some good organic baits on the market these days - see www.greenharvest.com.au
24 Mar 10, Al (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello My eggplant plants seem healthy but they have not produced any fruit (although there are flowers). They were planted from seed in Nov/Dec last year. Any reason why no fruit is being produced?
25 Mar 10, Mas (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm a first time eggplant grower, we picked our first eggplant last night and there's another growing at the moment. yum. Can I scrap out the fresh seeds, dry them and then plant again?
27 Mar 10, Kd (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Al, there are a lack of bees this year, so many plants which are flowering are not being pollinated. Try hand pollination from the male to the female flowers.
23 May 10, Lynn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My four eggplants look like they are healthy but no flowers have appeared yet. They are in a raised garden bed and have been in the ground about 12 weeks. Help please
Showing 41 - 50 of 346 comments

I see that you recommend planting eggplant in the spring. Before I found this website, I was using UF's recommendations which supported planting eggplant in the fall. Will eggplant planted in the fall produce much fruit?

- Gayle Bryan

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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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