https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/eggplant-in-the-garden, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Be sure to give your eggplant at least 1 of water each week. If you wait too long to harvest eggplants, they will become bitter to the taste. 1121 Main Street | P.O. There are many variables outside our control and yours that can cause the demise of your plant(s). If youre baking eggplant, first pierce the skin a few times to allow steam toescape. Don't be afraid to remove any leaves that are fully blocking light from reaching the lower portion of the plant. Start seeds indoors eight to nine weeks prior to your area's projected last spring frost date. Thank you. Here are some tips on how to do so: Sometimes newer gardeners are hesitant to prune. Try planting your eggplants next to potatoes, tomatoes and peppers. Best in fertile, well-drained soil. One eggplant plant will need about 12-14 inches of space to grow. Give plants an extra boost by adding a granulated fertilizer formulated for vegetables or and all-purpose feed (such as a fertilizer labeled 5-10-5). It is important that the seeds are quality seeds to have a high germination rate. Take a look at some of our favorite eggplant dishes below. If youd like an extra-large yield, you can also choose to grow two compact cultivars in one 20-inch pot. By subscribing, you are agreeing to receive emails with related tips, information and promotions marketed by AeroGarden, its affiliates, and select partners. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. We love seeing eggplant container gardens because they are easy to manage, and they make incredible outdoor decorations. Lets take a look at a few of the best compact eggplant cultivars to grow in a container. Gently cut or snip the eggplant off of the stem, Be sure to leave a small bit of stem attached to the eggplant. Fairy tale eggplants need nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Heres what you need to know about harvesting your crop: Once you've harvested your eggplants, you can enjoy them fresh or cook them in your favorite recipes. There are several varieties of eggplant, including: Eggplant and zucchini are similar in shape, though eggplant is typically purple while zucchini is typically green. It tastes best when harvested fairly young, so check plants often for eggplants that are just becoming ripe. You will love having fresh eggplants in your garden this growing season, as they are perfect for grilling, baking, stuffing, and much more a culinary artists dream come true! Ornamental varieties are edible, but have poor eatingquality. Raised beds enriched with composted manureare an ideal growing place for eggplants because the soil warms more quickly. If you live in a warm area where temperatures routinely stay above 65F at night in the spring, you can direct-sow seeds into your container outdoors. Prepare substrate rich in organic matter and nutrients. This can be accomplished by mulching around the roots or laying black garden plastic about 6 inches out from the base of the plant and securing it with garden staples. The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant purchase. If your area is expecting colder-than-average temperatures, cover your plants with row covers, or bring containers indoors if possible. Weeds take vital moisture and nutrients away from the vegetable plants. What did deception. Because of their petite size and early harvest, they have tender delicate skin and are perfect for roasting, and cook very fast. Then look no further than Rosa Bianca, a cultivar that grows 24 inches tall and spreads 18 inches. Also known as aubergines, Ichiban plants, or solanum melongena, eggplants are lovely, long, slender, and purple fruits that can be grown in raised beds, but that are perfect for container gardening. Growing eggplants in soil? You can repot seedlings after they reach at least four inches tall into a container that's five gallons or larger. Water Keep well-watered. Strangely shaped eggplants result from inconsistent or inadequatewatering. If you have any stories or questions, leave them in the comments section below. And read more about dealing with flea beetles in the garden here. 2023Yankee Publishing, Inc., An Employee-Owned Company Bake the eggplant in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Seeds should be covered with about 1/4 inch of soil while nursery plants should be situated at the same depth at which they were growing in their nursery container. Also that end is dimpled in if it's female. Fairy Tale Eggplant thrives in 6 hours or more of direct sunlight. Aim for at least a 5-gallon capacity. To get rid of an existing infestation, remove the webbing as best as you can and spray the leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Many Italians will tenderize an eggplant so its less bitter. Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. During that time, your job is to gently transfer pollen from the stamens onto the pistils using any of the methods above. Fruit is sweet, without any bitterness, and has few seeds. In a large bowl, toss the eggplant with about 2 tablespoons olive oil (enough to generously coat the eggplant), 2 minced garlic cloves, salt, pepper, (red pepper flakes also if you wish), and 4 to 6 large mint leaves, coarsely chopped; let stand to marinate for about 30 minutes. Note that eggplant's leaves, stems, roots, and flowers can be toxic to people and pets. Refresh the water every couple of days. International Soil and Water Conservation Research. Wonderful flavor with no bitterness and very few seeds. When selecting an eggplant, look for a fruit that is firm, without any bruises or blemishes. Soil Fertile, well-drained soil. It's important to give your plants room to grow, so we recommend putting no more than 3 seed pods into your tall garden (Bounty, Farm Plus or Farm XL) and covering the remaining holes with spacers. Youll need a pot thats 12 to 14 inches deep and wide if youre growing a compact variety, or a 20-inch-deep pot if youre not. An overripe eggplant will have large, dark seeds inside. Eggplants will be ready to harvest beginning 55 days from transplant but remember that you can keep harvesting them as the fruits grow bigger. Eggplants are self-fertile, and the flowers are pollinated by wind or certain types of bees through a process called buzz pollination, moving the pollen from the anthers to the stigma. Blossom end rot, caused by a lack of calcium in the eggplant fruit, results in water-soaked lesions that get larger over time. Eggplant tastes best when harvested young. Plant Addicts guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy and healthy, but the plant(s) are being shipped through the mail and accidents happen. Down to Earth Vegetable Garden Fertilizer. Fairy Tale Eggplants use a lot of energy to produce their fruits, so you need to feed them regularly. Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Rotate the container and continue to tap, loosening the soil until the plant pulls smoothly from the pot. Otherwise, they will simply fall off and you won't get any fruit. Eggplant. This is because, botanically speaking, a true berry is a fruit that develops from one flower that has one ovary. Growing Fairy Tale Eggplant From Seed To Harvest In 2.5 Months | Dutch Bucket Hydroponic Eggplant Here is how to make your own nutrient solutionhttps://youtu. Make sure to avoid overhead irrigation. Remove the plant from the container. Try serving them grilled, roasted, or stir-fried. Box 520 | Dublin, NH 03444. The best size pot to grow an eggplant in is 2-5 gallon containers. Cut it into slices or cubes, toss with salt in a colander, and let excess water drip out for 30 minutes to an hour. Eggplants are perennial in warm climates (Zones 9b-12a), but many gardeners treat them as an annual and discard the plant after one growing season. Fairy Tale Eggplant Care Tips Something to remember about the Fairy Tale Eggplant is that much of the care is identical to any other flowering fruit or vegetable you may grow in an AeroGarden. Plus, this palm-sized eggplant is a breeze to prep for sauts, stir-fries, grilled dishes and more. Never prune away more than 1/3 of the plant or it may become weak and unproductive. S. melongena is a perennial plant in warm climates, so those of you in Zones 10 to 12 can enjoy harvests year after year from the same plant. This is especially important if the roots are dense and have filled up the container. Hand watering using a watering wand with a sprinkler head attached is also a good way to control watering. Make sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. S. And it is nutritious, too: the fruits are rich in potassium and folate, along with other key vitamins and minerals. Please comment on this. Fairy Tale Eggplant will benefit from a light topdressing with well-rotted manure to ensure vital nutrients feed the roots. Cut a six- to eight-inch portion of healthy stem. Add organic matter such as manure, peat moss or garden compost until the soil is loose and easy to work. The container should be at least five gallons and have ample drainage holes. To check for soil moisture use your finger or a small trowel to dig in and examine the soil. Set the plant in the hole. How to Store Homegrown Cucumbers for Maximum Freshness and Long-Term Use, 15 of the Best Tomato Hybrids for Your Veggie Patch, Put Up Your Cukes: How to Grow Cucumbers on a Fence. In other English-speaking parts of the world, including Ireland and the UK, you probably call it aubergine instead. You should not plant fennel next to eggplant. For the Vegetables: While the polenta is cooking, add olive oil to a large pan over medium heat. They tend to stay in the southern and southeastern parts of the United States, although theyve been known to travel as far west as Arizona and as far north as Connecticut. Also, as said above, Black Beauty is the traditional eggplant size. Fill your chosen container with fresh potting mix, and add some vegetable-specific fertilizer according to package instructions. Typically, this is around 3-4 weeks after the last frost of the season. You will also want to watch out for spider mites, tobacco hornworms, aphids and cutworms. Feed Use a fertilizer formulated for vegetables. To prevent this disease, use a thick 3-4 layer of organic mulch that will keep the soil moist, while also preventing temperature fluctuations. https://gardenerspath.com/plants/vegetables/hand-pollinate-eggplant/. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. There are several reasons to prune vegetable plants: to help contain a plants size, to promote bushy compact growth, to remove dead or diseased stems, and to promote larger, healthier fruit yields. Eggplant is a fast-growing, warm-season vegetable that should be planted in the mid- to late spring. If it doesn't, it's time to mist the soil again before recovering the container. These insects chew the leaves, causing yellowish discolored spots, and lay eggs on the undersides of the foliage. Use a covering of black plastic. Keep the seeds moist and warm, and they should germinate in 10 to 21 days. It is time to get your hands dirty and watch the magic of new growth happen right before your eyes. With a sharp pair of scissors, cut the stem about an inch or two away from the fruit. They grow fastest when temperatures are between 70 and 85F (21 and 30C)and very slowly during coolerweather. To treat infestations, spray the affected area with Bonide insecticidal soap, available from Arbico Organics. You can also safely plant your eggplants near peas, beans, spinach, thyme and marigolds. Transplants will take roughly 65 to 80 days to maturity while seeds will take 100 to 120 days. Keep soil moist, watering freely in dry weather. Fairy Tale eggplant fruits are so unique and lovely that theyre easily mistaken for ornamental plants. Eggplant: Italian Fairy Tale (Plant) Basics Ease of Growing Temperamental Grown as Annual Days to Maturity Eggplant is also one of those vegetables that adapts well to container growth, producing plenty of delicious fruit despite its more confined surroundings. Grill the eggplant in a grill basket over medium-high heat, covered. Since S. melongena likes soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.2, you may want to conduct a soil test before you get started, especially if youre using garden soil that may be alkaline or overly acidic. This Italian heirloom produces round fruits that are five to six inches long and wide at maturity, but youll want to pick them when theyre around two to three inches in size for the best flavor. Eggplant in the garden. You can try: Each blossom will last about three days. When starting in containers, cover the container with plastic wrap, and set it on a heat mat to keep the soil temperature between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Fairy Tale eggplant is considered one of the best-tasting eggplants. We cover this separately, in our guide to indoor growing. Apply the topdressing when plants bloom and set their first fruits. Ifyoure growing eggplant in pots, use a dark-colored container that will absorb more sunlight. Dont wait too long to harvest! Thanks,, susan, In reply to i was reading your article by susan good (not verified). Yet, despite its classification as a berry and its center filled with seeds, nutritionists and chefs alike consider it a vegetable. The rest of us have to grow it as an annual outdoors, because this member of the nightshade family which includes potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers does not like the cold. If you have to, hammer it a bit, knock it around, let it start to collapse.". Mary has been a Master Gardener for 30+ years and a commercial and residential gardener for 50+ years. A soaker hose is a great investment for keeping plants healthy and reducing water lost through evaporation. Free Standard Shipping On Orders $50+ Just Launched: New Veggie Seed Kits! The first thing you need to grow fairy tale eggplants are quality seeds, you can get the seeds from a local nursery, or you can use the same fairy tale eggplant seeds I use in my garden. They also should have a little give to them. But of course, you can enjoy aubergines even if you love meat. Choose an eggplant that is heavy for its size, has a green stem, and springs back when you press on the skin.
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