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

(Best months for growing Eggplant in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings

September: Bring on in pots - need a long growing season

  • 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

05 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Lack of sunlight and maybe competition for water may be the problem. The other thing is that egg plants are often later to fruit than their cousins - tomatoes and capsicum. Trust this helps.
28 Jan 17, Meredith (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am growing 'classic' eggplant. The fruit are growing bigger, but look ripe. How big should I let them get before picking? Is there any sign that they are ripe?
05 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
If they are the purple variety and are fully coloured you could harvest them. Try one and if the flesh is cream they are ripe. Trust this helps.
26 Jan 17, Wilma (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Last summer my brinjal harvest was fantastic, didn't know what to do with it all so I made the most delicious chutney. Tomatoes, peppers and chillies as well as some of the herbs were also from my garden So satisfying!
27 Apr 20, matome (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
may i please be advised on the fertilizer and chemicals used to sustain your eggplant,i want to be prepared when summer come,its 1st time planting eggplant,
17 Jan 17, maximus111 (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing eggplant again this year after a successful season last year. This year, I seem to be having a problem, some, though not all of the leaves are browning and curling, like they are dying which i suppose they are. I have no memory of this occurring last time. The fruit itself is fine, no problems at all. There is no overcrowding as there is only the one plant in the above ground bed, allowing it to take as much space as is needed. On occasion we give it powerfeed with seassol and sometimes osmacote vegetable granules. We have a watering system that is placed at the base of the plant as we discovered last year they're not too keen on being sprayed so much from above and get watered in the morning for 10 mins and 15 mins in the late afternoon. Does anyone have any idea as to what is wrong with my plant and what I need to do ?
18 Jan 17, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have tyhe sam problem here in SE qld. I would love ideas from others about dying eggplant. THanks.
04 Jan 17, Zak (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in sydney can we grow eggplant from the seed now in January month, also pls advise best time to grow like which months in sydney.
21 Sep 16, kitty luong (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi. I wonder can I growth eggplant in a container?. If so how big is the container have to be?. Thank
19 Oct 16, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, you can grow eggplant in containers. I have to chase the sun because of the tall trees around my garden and I have a few on the decking. If you keep the water up to it and feed well, they will fruit just fine. Use something around the 10 - 15ltr size.
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