Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site Choose a very sunny spot. Eggplant grows best in a well-drained sandy loam or loam soil, fairly high in organic matter ...
Use a covering of black plastic mulch to warm heavy clay soils before setting out transplants. Eggplant requires moderate amounts of fertilizer. Mix 1 inch or so of well-rotted manure or a general fertilizer such as 5-10-10 throughout the planting bed about a week before planting …
When to Plant Eggplant Start seeds indoors in flats or peat pots 8–9 weeks prior to the last spring frost date. Seeds germinate quickly at temperatures between 70 to 90°F. Alternatively, buy 6- to 8-week-old nursery transplants just before planting. Do not plant eggplant transplants into the garden until after the last threat of frost. If purchasing transplants: Buy high-quality specimens. Do not purchase tall, spindly plants or young plants that have blossoms or you will have a lower yield.
How to Harvest
Eggplant Harvest 65 to 80 days after transplanting, depending on the variety. When starting from seed, expect 100 to 120 days to maturity. The best way to gauge the time to harvest: The skin of the fruit is shiny and unwrinkled and a uniform color. As soon as the skin does not rebound to gentle pressure from your finger, it’s ripe. Don’t wait too long to harvest! After that, it will become tough and the seeds begin to harden. Japanese eggplant may be ready to harvest when the size of a finger or hot dog When harvesting, do not pull the fruit (as it won’t come off). Cut the fruit with a sharp knife or pruning shears close to the stem, leaving about an inch of it attached. Once ready, eggplants are harvested at least once per week, preferably twice a week.
