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Eggplant

Solanum melongena

Vegetable

Eggplant is a heat-loving member of the nightshade family that produces glossy, richly flavoured fruit. It needs a long, warm growing season and performs best in well-enriched soil with consistent moisture.

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Soil

Rich, well-draining loam; pH 5.5–6.5

Spacing

18–24 inches

Days to Maturity

70–85 days from transplant

Growing Zones

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Thrives in USDA Zones 5–11

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Keep Away From

When to Plant

  • Start Indoors

    8–10 weeks before last frost

  • Transplant

    After last frost, soil 65°F+

  • Harvest

    70–85 days; harvest while skin is still glossy

Organic Growing Tips

  • Use row covers for the first 3–4 weeks after transplanting to exclude flea beetles.

  • Plant tarragon nearby — its essential oils are reported to deter various eggplant pests.

  • Hand-pick Colorado potato beetle larvae from the undersides of leaves daily during peak season.

  • Grow in the warmest, most sheltered spot in the garden, or use black plastic mulch to boost soil temperature.

Common Pests

  • Flea Beetle
  • Colorado Potato Beetle
  • Aphids
  • Spider Mites
  • Verticillium Wilt

All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.