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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01 Nov 10, John Podevin (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have just planted some eggplant seedlings in the garden (we live in Napier). How long will it be before they can be harvested?
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02 Mar 09, Julian (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I am growing eggplant in Wellington in a plastic house. Plants seem healthy enough and keep putting out flowers but i only got one fruit from the very first flower on one of the plants. I started catching bumble bees and putting them in the plastic house to pollinate the flowers, but still no results. Any ideas???
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14 Jul 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Jan, Eggplants should do well in your area. Remember to keep them well watered, drying out stops growth and flower production. They may need staking, depending on variety.
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Showing 31 - 33 of 33 comments
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To answer Kelvin: Yes, just like you do for tomatoes, and for the same reasons (pinch out the shoots between the main stems and the leaf stems to focus more energy on the fruit). To answer Rachel: Check what the mature size is (Black beauty, the most common one, grows to around 16cm) and pick a bit before that size when the skin should be firm, dark and shiny. They tend to be nicer a bit before full maturity. I am in adelaide and even with the intense (Intense!) weather (my citrus plants all have a fair few fried leaves), the eggplants can generally take it. A few flowers have died and dropped off (but lots more flowers coming up), but keep hitting them with heaps of water and they will be fine.

- Andris

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