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

23 Oct 17, Robyn Boswell (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Several years ago i bought a patio miniature eggplant which produced really well. I haven't been able to find one since. Can you tell if i can buy the seeds or plant anywhere please? I am in northland
25 Oct 17, Lorraine (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I purchased Egg Plants from Mitre 10 Whangarei 2 years ago give them a call they will back order if they don't have them in stock
15 Nov 17, Ian Gall (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I, m growing my egg plant in a tunnel house, the leaves are turning black? What to do?
20 Nov 17, Michael (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have the opposite - all the lower leaves are turning yellow! But at least I have a couple of dark fruit growing fast.
21 Nov 17, rachel (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
it's most likely a fungus, you need to spray with something like organic copper
02 Jan 18, (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, is it worth trying to grow aubergines in Dunedin?
04 Feb 18, Heather (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I have grown the smaller variety in a glass house with plenty of TLC. They don't survive outside as the temperature fluctuates too much and we can get cold spells during the growing season.
14 Mar 18, Liz (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I have successfully grown an eggplant in Dunedin in a tunnel house. I have just picked my 10th, and there are 5 more coming
14 Jan 18, Paula Mouat (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I am growing eggplant for the first time in a glasshouse. My plant is growing very well with lots of fruit. The fruit are large and pale. How long should I wait before harvesting?
20 Jan 18, Alison (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have eggplants in a tunnel house. The plants look amazing and are flowering like crazy and look to be pollinating but then drop off before fruit develops. They are getting plenty of water and tomatoes in the same greenhouse are fruiting happily. What am I dong wrong?
Showing 11 - 20 of 33 comments

Google about flowers dropping off egg plants.

- Mike

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