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

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10 Aug 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
From the notes here about egg plant.
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10 Aug 19, Phil M (Australia - temperate climate)
You should be able to get a good second season crop from eggplant. Best to cut it back and pull off any flowers although a little late in the season. I've got two I cut right back at the start of winter and they are still growing well, as the temperature gets up they will take off. I've also got another going into a third season that looks healthy after a fantastic second season crop but this will be new territory so don't know what to expect third time around.
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06 Aug 19, Jeanette (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi have a few egg plants growing but they are still green.What do i do to get them purple.Thanks.
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07 Aug 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Some varieties do have greenish fruit. www.thekitchn.com/a-visual-guide-to-10-glorious-varieties-of-eggplant-232828
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08 Aug 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes there are some green eggplant. I have found the last few years when the plant has cropped for awhile and the soil is maybe running out of nutrients etc the fruit becomes a bit deformed and is green and purple and doesn't look very attractive. I don't know why this happens - could be weather, trace element deficient - could be one of a hundred different reasons. If I have had a good crop then I'm happy and it's time to pull them out. My eggplant self germinates from fruit left on the ground from last year and dug in. Probably won't germinate until Oct/Nov.
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07 Aug 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
Look at the top of this page and read it and take notice of what it says. You are temperate zone - plant seeds Aug to Sept - transplant from Oct to Jan. It needs soil temp of 24-32 to germinate. My soil temp(Bundaberg) is presently 18 degree - so I shouldn't be even trying to germinate eggplant for another 6 weeks - I'm sub tropical. IT IS a summer crop - NOT a winter crop. When they grown the right time of the year, the fruit will be purple right from when they start forming.
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20 Jul 19, Noel (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi,I’m from Melbourne in the northern suburbs. I have about 5 eggplant plate 2 different varieties. We had a great season. Some plants are still having fruits. It’s middle of July, temps drop to about 2c in early mornings. Is it better to uproot plants and start new this season or trim back and let them re grow this season..? Trying to plan my veggie garden to start planting in September. Any advise is appreciated. Thanks.
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22 Jul 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the article above. Temperate - treat it as an annual. Grow it in a new position is my suggestion - think of the sun and the shade it will create - other plants.
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17 Jun 19, joe graham (Australia - temperate climate)
just a question my egg plant is still producing fruit. i live an hour north of Sydney. its the middle of June.its flowering like crazy and has about 10 on it ranging in size from tennis ball size to large grape fruit size.we are having mild sunny days and very cool nights down to 6deg is this normal or is climate change a factor in why its doing this. thanks for any reply or advice.
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18 Jun 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Climate is 30 years of weather for a particular area. Climate does not change from year to year. Year to year is variable temperature change. Both your plants eggplant and zucchini are warm/hot weather crops so if you are still having warm days then they would still produce as long as they have sufficient nutrient.
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try growing long skinny long eggplant...i found my packet of seeds in a Asian food shop. the brand name is( known you ), under eggplant ........i live gold coast qld and they are the best ....

- Anonymous

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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