SCIENTIFIC NAME: Solanum melongena

CULTURE: Eggplants require fertile, well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.2-6.8. Sow seed in flats indoors during early spring, or 6-8 weeks prior to planting outdoors. Sow 4 seeds/2.5cm, 6mm deep, and maintain soil temperature at 27-32C until emergence and 21C thereafter. Seed will not germinate in cool soil. After true leaves form, thin to 5-8mm apart in flats or transplant into 50-75mm pots or plug trays. To harden plants, reduce water and temperature to about 16C for about a week before planting out. Transplant outdoors late spring or early summer once the weather has thoroughly settled. Eggplants are tender, and cold weather may weaken them. Use row covers for a real boost in performance and insect control. Remove when plants reach the covers or when blossoms first appear. Space transplants 45cm apart in rows 75-90cm apart, or 2 rows on poly mulch, 40-60cm between plants. It is important to be mindful of over-fertility. Too much nitrogen often results in large, bushy plants that produce only one small set of fruit

STAKING: Eggplants may be pruned and staked to keep the fruits straight

DISEASE: Practice lengthy crop rotation to avoid Verticillium wilt. A 4-5 year rotation for all Solanaceae crops is recommended

INSECT PESTS: Fabric row covers are the recommended method of control for flea beetles and Colorado potato beetles (CPB) for newly-set transplants. Once covers are removed, regularly check undersides of leaves and crush any orange egg masses of the CPB. Practice

HARVEST: Clip fruit stem with shears. Pick fruits of desired size regularly to encourage further production

DAYS TO MATURITY: From transplanting 90 days

TRANSPLANTS: Avg. 800 plants/1,000 seeds

SEED SPECS: SEEDS/30g: 6,700-8,700 (avg. 7,500)