How To Grow Eggplant From Seed?

How To Grow Eggplant From Seed
Depending on the kind, eggplants can grow from 2 to 6 feet tall. Depending on the type, eggplants take 60-80 days to mature. Plant eggplant in broad sunlight. Eggplant is not picky about the soil it grows in, although it thrives in well-drained, organic-rich soil.

Eggplant is cold-sensitive (and extreme heat). It thrives where daytime temperatures range from 80° to 90°F and nighttime temperatures range from 70° to 80°F.6 to 8 weeks before to planting in the garden, eggplant should be started inside (or on a warm patio) or on a warm patio. Do not plant eggplants until daytime temperatures reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Grow Eggplants in Containers from Seed | Easy planting guide

Starting with Eggplant Seed I recommend soaking your seeds for up to twenty-four hours. This can enhance the number of seeds that germinate and their rate of growth. When beginning seeds indoors or in tiny containers to be transferred outside, use organic potting soil.

Sow eggplant seeds a quarter to half inch deep and four to five inches apart. Most eggplant seeds germinate in 6-12 days. How to Grow Aubergine If the weather does not permit transplanting before plants reach 5 to 6 inches in height, thin them to a distance of 6 inches apart. Plant eggplants 18 to 24 inches apart in the garden.

Separate rows by 24 to 36 inches. Advice for Cultivating Eggplant Do not overwater or for the soil to get dry. As soon as the earth has warmed, mulch eggplants to maintain soil moisture and a constant temperature. Eggplants are strong feeders; prepare planting areas with old compost and fertilize eggplants every two to three weeks with compost tea until the fruit sets.

  1. Eggplant is simple to cultivate in pots.
  2. Plants will grow in containers at least 12 inches in diameter and depth.
  3. Select a smaller-growing plant variety.
  4. Before growing eggplant, it is advisable to enrich the soil in your garden using homemade compost and/or organic soil additives.
  5. Feeding with Organic Alfalfa Meal Tea is one alternative.

Companion Planting with Aubergines Together with amaranth, beans, peas, spinach, tarragon, thyme, and marigold, plant eggplant. Eggplant is a member of the nightshade family and grows well alongside peppers due to their shared preference for similar environmental conditions.

How do you plant eggplant seedlings?

Article Download Article Download Eggplants are tasty, hardy veggies that are a wonderful addition to any garden. Ensure that eggplants are kept warm and hydrated to promote their healthy growth. The plants will reach a height of several feet and should be staked early in their development for support. 1 Begin eggplant seeds inside 6 to 9 weeks before the final projected frost date. Because eggplants require warmth, it is preferable to begin them indoors and then transplant them when the weather is warm. Aim to germinate the seeds 6 to 9 weeks before the expected final frost of the year. If you prefer not to prepare in advance, you can purchase eggplant seeds from a garden center or nursery. EXPERT ADVICE Steve Masley has over 30 years of experience developing and maintaining organic vegetable gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is an Organic Farming Consultant and the Founder of Grow-It-Organically, a website that educates customers and students organic vegetable gardening techniques.

  • Steve taught the Local Sustainable Agriculture Field Practicum at Stanford University in 2007 and 2008.
  • Living on a hill might alter the final frost date.
  • According to the Grow it Organically staff: “The latest frost date might vary slightly depending on the location of your garden.
  • For example, if your garden sits at the bottom of a hill, cold air might linger and you may have a later frost than if your garden were at the top.” 2 The seeds must be soaked overnight before to germination.
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Before sowing, eggplant seeds have a greater likelihood of germination if they are well moistened. Place the seeds in a shallow container and fill them with water to the brim. Allow the seeds to soak for one night, then drain the water.

  • Eggplant seedlings thrive in 72- and 128-cell trays with big seed containers to facilitate root development.
  • Purchase seed trays in garden centers or on the Internet.
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  • Fill seed trays with fine, aerated growth material. For the greatest outcomes, eggplant seeds should be germinated on a medium devoid of dirt. Fill seed trays three-quarters full with the medium of your choosing. There are several viable choices, including vermiculite, perlite, coconut husk, and compost.
  • 4 Plant the seeds 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) deep and saturate the soil with water. Insert 1-2 eggplant seeds into the growth material in each individual seed container using your fingers. Ensure that the seeds are approximately 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) beneath the growth medium’s surface. Water the surface of the seeds by misting or sprinkling them.
  • 5 Allow the seeds to germinate between 5 and 14 days. Depending on the temperature they are stored at, eggplant seeds can germinate in as little as 5 days or as long as 2 weeks. Warmer temperatures will accelerate the germination process. Maintain a temperature of at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) while your eggplant seeds germinate.
  • When the seedlings have reached a height of 3 inches (7.6 cm), transplant them into pots. When the seedlings reach the appropriate size, they should be transplanted into separate containers. Fill miniature containers with the same growth media used to germinate the seeds, then create small holes in which to place the seedlings. Remove each seedling carefully from the growth tray and transplant it in its new pot.

The seedlings should remain indoors until the external temperature reaches at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). Advertisement

  1. Choose a location in your garden that receives direct sunshine. To grow and flourish in a garden, eggplants demand quite high temperatures. Plant your eggplants in a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight every day. If this is not possible, plant eggplants in a partial shade location.
  2. 2. Conduct a test to see whether your soil is well-drained. Eggplant thrives in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Dig a hole roughly 12–18 inches (30–46 cm) deep and 12–18 inches (30–46 cm) broad, then fill it with water to determine the state of your soil. If water pools and takes more than an hour to absorb, your soil has poor drainage.
  3. 3 Add an organic soil supplement to a soil with poor drainage to correct the issue. Utilize a gardening rake to loosen the top eight inches (20 centimeters) of dirt. Spread a 2-inch (5.1-centimeter) layer of organic soil amendment over the soil. Use the rake to evenly incorporate it into the soil.
See also:  How To Grow Cherry Blossom Tree From Seed?

Purchase organic soil amendment ingredients from a local garden shop or hardware store, such as sand, vermiculite, perlite, or compost. Advertisement

  1. 1 Plant seedlings 24–30 inches (61–76 cm) apart, root-deep. Eggplants thrive when they have ample space to expand and develop. Dig holes somewhat larger than the roots of your seedlings, 24–30 inches (61–76 cm) apart in all directions. Place the seedlings carefully in the holes, then backfill the area surrounding their roots with dirt.
  2. 2 Distribute mulch around the base of your plants. Mulching will aid in preventing weed development and keeping your plants warm. Straw, compost, and grass clippings are all excellent options for natural mulch. Spread them in a thick layer around the base of your eggplant seedlings.
  • Use only grass clippings from untreated lawns, as pesticides and fertilizers may be detrimental to your plants.
  • To protect your plants, use at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of mulch in a layer.

3 Support your plants with stakes as they grow. Utilize bamboo sticks or other appropriate supports to support your plants. Place the stakes 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) apart from each plant in the soil. As the plants develop, they will lean on the stakes without disturbing the neighboring plants.

  1. Once every week, water eggplants well. Eggplants require at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water every week to flourish. One weekly heavy watering is preferable to many short watering sessions. Frequent watering encourages the development of shallow roots, which might reduce the longevity of your eggplants.
  2. 2 Eliminate any flea beetles found on the plant leaves. Flea beetles are little black insects that eat on plant leaves and can cause damage to eggplant plants. Examine the upper and lower leaves of your eggplants for these insects and manually remove them. Destroy the insects to prevent their return or reproduction.

If you are plagued with flea beetles during the growing season, you should remove your plants and till the soil in the spring to eliminate any remaining larvae. Utilize row coverings to safeguard your eggplants. Row covers are excellent for protecting eggplants from frost, disease, and pests.

  • Raise the row covers to water your eggplants, then remove them entirely at harvest time.
  • Purchase row covers from garden stores and internet retailers.
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4 When eggplants are harvested 16 to 24 weeks after seeding, their skin will be shiny. Beginning with the day you sow your eggplant seeds, keep note of your planting schedule. At the 16-week point, begin evaluating your eggplant plants to determine if they are ready to be harvested. When the eggplant’s skin is glossy, cut it off near the stem using sharp pruning shears. If eggplants are refrigerated for two weeks, they will remain fresh. Advertisement Submit a Question left 200 characters Include your your address to receive a notification once this question has been answered. Submit Advertisement

  • Plant trays
  • Without soil growth medium
  • Eggplant seeds
  • Small pots
  • Shovel
  • Organic soil amendment
  • Gardening gloves
  • Stakes (e.g. bamboo sticks) (e.g. bamboo sticks)
  • Coverings for
  • Garden pegs
  • Rubber mallet
  • If you lack garden space, consider planting a single eggplant plant in a 5-gallon container. As a token of appreciation, we would like to send you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Utilize it to sample wonderful new items and services around the nation without paying full price, including wine, meal delivery, apparel, and more. Enjoy!
  • Try growing eggplants on a raised garden bed, where the earth will warm up more quickly in the spring if you live in a chilly climate. As a token of appreciation, we would like to send you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Utilize it to sample wonderful new items and services around the nation without paying full price, including wine, meal delivery, apparel, and more. Enjoy!

Advertisement Article Summary X To cultivate eggplant, start by planting your seeds 6 to 9 weeks before the final frost is forecast. Fill a seed tray with a non-soil growth media, such as vermiculite or compost, for the greatest results. Then, put one to two seeds in each container and wait up to two weeks for the seedlings to emerge.

  • When the seedlings reach a height of 3 inches, transplant them to individual pots containing the same growth media as the seed tray.
  • When the external temperature exceeds 70 degrees Fahrenheit, eggplant seedlings can be planted outdoors.
  • Make careful to place the seedlings 24 to 30 inches apart so they have room to expand and flourish.

As your plants develop, you will also need to utilize stakes, such as bamboo poles, to support them. Continue reading for further information from our Gardening co-author, including how to protect your eggplant from insects. This overview was helpful? Thank you to everyone who contributed to this page that has been read 39,295 times.

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