The gardening tips below will help your eggplants grow into healthy plants: Water. If you decide to grow from seedlings, begin your plants indoors about four to six weeks before the last anticipated date of frost.Don’t plant your seedlings until the danger of frost has passed. apart. Sow eggplants in individual pots of light potting mix 10 to 8 weeks before you intend to set plants out. Although eggplant seeds are tightly embedded in the flesh of the fruits, extracting eggplant seeds is fairly simple with the help of a food processor or a blender. Eggplants do best in neutral to slightly acidic soil, between 5.5 – 7 pH. Find Out Which Is Best for Your Garden, 10 Easy Annual Flowers to Start From Seeds, Cucamelon (Mexican Sour Gherkin) Plant Profile. Starting eggplant from seed takes a bit of effort, but it is so rewarding to put together an eggplant Parmesan, or a plate of grilled eggplant later in the summer, from plants that grew from seeds you sowed yourself. You can grow eggplant from seed or by using starter seedlings. Growing eggplant from seed requires some care, but it is worth the effort because there is a huge variety you can buy in seed form, while nurseries often carry only a few types. Once soil temperatures reach 60 degrees F, it's time to start hardening your eggplant seedlings off and get them planted in the garden. Eggplant must be started from seed indoors in most areas, 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date . Eggplant seeds may be removed prior to using in recipes that call for eggplant, or removed and stored for planting during the local growing season. Read on to learn more. Start eggplants from seed indoors about 8 weeks before setting seedlings in the vegetable garden. Eggplants have a lovely texture and a unique taste. Removing eggplant seeds carefully following the proper method will ensure an abundant harvest or tasty dish. You have many more options open to you when you start from seed: tender Asian varieties, pretty little egg-shaped eggplants, and a range of colors, from white to green to purple, including some very pretty striped varieties. Seeds germinate quickly at temperatures between 70 to 90°F. After preparing the seeds, prepare the container that you will use. The seeds germinate best at temperatures above 24 deg C (75 deg F), so keep in a warmer place inside the house. Transplant the seedlings to the garden when soil temperatures reach 60 degrees. If you're looking for something a little different than the standard dark purple eggplant, your best option may be to start your own eggplant from seed. You can use a bagged seed-starting mix, or make your own soil-less mix. Eggplant Sowing and Planting Tips. Step 2. Solanaceae (Potato and tomato family) Soil. You can use bottom heat to maintain a soil temperature around 24 deg C for about 10 days. Place pots in a warm protected spot and keep the mix moist until the seeds germinate. Start your seeds indoors to get a jump on the growing season. So how to grow eggplant from seeds? Eggplant seeds germinate in 5 to 6 days. Cool temperatures will weaken the plants, and frost will kill them. 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Sign up for our newsletter. This blog aims at providing a step to step guide on how to grow eggplant from seed.Along with this, it will also touch upon details pertaining to other eggplant variants. Eggplants are a good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach, and thyme. Eggplant can be a beautiful addition to your garden. There’s no particular eggplant seed preparation necessary prior to sowing. Companions. Also, read the instructions from the manufacturer to learn how to properly take care of the plant. Time of Planting. Colleen Vanderlinden is a freelance writer and the author of Edible Gardening for the Midwest. An overripe eggplant is typically hard and shriveled. Eggplants are commonly started indoors in a greenhouse or warm, well-lit sunroom or kitchen. Join me as I harvest eggplant from the same plant I harvested the massive eggplant last summer. Next, strain the seeds, pat them dry and spread them out on a tray to dry no more than two seeds thick. Eggplant seeds germinate painfully slowly or not at all if the soil is too cool. Once your eggplant seedlings are ready to move outdoors, choose a full sun area with a soil pH of 5.5 to 7.0 (acidic to neutral). Simply place them into pots that are an inch or two larger than the ones they're growing in. For the best results, germinate eggplant seeds in … How to Grow Eggplant From Seed When to Sow. Ways to Plant Eggplant If you don't, then it's time to water with a gentle mist to avoid dislodging the seeds. When to Plant Eggplant. You may need to transplant your eggplant seedlings into larger containers before it's time to move them outside. Frost tolerant. deep with good quality potting soil in flats or cell containers. Eggplant seedlings will be ready to transplant in six to eight weeks. Feeding. How to Grow Eggplant: From Seed to Harvest. Eggplants, with dramatic foliage and colorful fruit, are not only a great choice for a veggie garden, but an ornamental specimen as well. The seeds will germinate without additional heat, but it will take longer. Use a dome or cloche to retain heat as well as humidity to encourage germination when eggplant seed planting indoors. Water them well, cover loosely with a plastic bag or a plastic seedling flat cover to retain moisture, and place them in a warm spot―on top of the refrigerator or on seedling heat mats would be perfect. At optimal conditions, the growing eggplant seeds should germinate within seven days. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, basic equipment to successfully start seeds indoors. Spacing Sow seed in individual pots, containers or flats. Sowing Eggplant Seeds. You can opt-out at any time. Seedlings can be transplanted to the garden in about two months, or they can be grown to maturity in a large container. At optimal conditions, the growing eggplant seeds should germinate within seven days. Soak seeds overnight to encourage germination; sow them ¼ … To reduce the risk of disease, eggplant crops should be rotated every few years and it does well following beans or peas. Start fertilizing with a very dilute (1/4 the recommended amount on the label) solution of fish emulsion or kelp. Transplanting Seedlings How to Save Eggplant Seeds Eggplants are fairly simple to save seeds from, and gardeners can save seeds from multiple varieties of eggplant at the same time with minimal effort. Crop Types Seed is … Consider using a raised bed or black plastic mulch to aid in warming the soil and speeding up growth. Transplants should be set about 18-24 inches (46-61 cm.) Use a dome or cloche to retain heat as well as humidity to encourage germination when eggplant seed planting indoors. Most seedling pests can be controlled organically with insecticidal soap. Here are some of my favorite sources for organic eggplant seeds. Eggplants need about an inch of water per week, depending on the soil moisture. By starting your eggplants indoors, you can begin as early as April. Eggplant and all other nightshade vegetables need generous watering to grow. Growing eggplants prefer soil with a pH between 5.5 to 6.5. Seedlings … Start eggplant inside 3 … Be vigilant for any signs of pests or diseases. Prepare your plant bed ahead with soil rich in compost and set the seedlings in … Beans, Spinach and Tarragon. Written by The Seed Collection Pty Ltd Date Posted: 24 November 2020 Most veggie gardeners find space to grow one at least one of the staples of potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. Strain the seeds, pat them dry and spread them out on a tray to dry not more than two seeds thick. Latin Solanum melogena Family: Solanaceae Difficulty Easy in a greenhouse or outdoors in hot summers. Simply dilute your vermicompost tea until it is a very, very light brown, then water with it. How To Grow Eggplant From Seeds Step 1. Generally, eggplant seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Eggplants Guide and grow food. Leave up … Eggplant enjoy a long growing season, but you can extend your season by starting plants indoors. Grow eggplant from seeds or seedlings. Plant the seeds 1/4inch deep, water after planting and cover loosely with plastic to retain moisture. Moist it with drinking water. Harvest time for eggplant will be between 70-90 days from transplant date. Storing: Eggplant fruits can be stored for about a week in the refrigerator. Starting seeds indoors is most common, although if you live in an extremely warm, humid region, planting eggplant seeds directly in the garden may work. Clay or plastic pot will be good choices. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Wait until the weather has settled, with no chance of frost and the soil is warm before transplanting. Harden off the seedlings carefully by gradually reducing ambient temps and easing off on watering. Continue to keep your eggplant seedlings moist as they grow for the next eight to ten weeks. Position. Fertilize your seedlings with this dilute solution every week or so. Although eggplant seeds are tiny, sow the seeds about ¼-inch (6 mm.) Choose seeds depending on the variety that you would like to plant. When starting eggplant seeds indoors, a heat mat is a must to warm the soil to encourage germination. apart in rows 30-36 inches (76-91 cm.) When your … Native to Asia, this tender annual requires full sun, well-draining, slightly acidic, fertile soil and a long growing season. All of these plants are members of the solanaceae family, but one of their prominent siblings is much less widely grown at home. Do not plant eggplant transplants into the garden until after the last threat of frost. Although eggplant seeds are tiny, sow the seeds about ¼-inch (6 mm.) Sow seeds them about 10 mm deep in a seed raising medium. Eggplant seeds germinate at temps between 60-95 degrees F. (15-35 C.) and seedlings will emerge in seven to 10 days. You will need some basic equipment to successfully start seeds indoors, but it's well worth it when you consider how many plants you can start with very little money. A semi-tropical plant; cannot tolerate frost. From midsummer onward, drench with a liquid feed every two weeks. Sow seeds to grow eggplants in all shapes, colours and sizes Eggplant seeds require consistent warmth to germinate, so a propagation heat padis recommended. Grow eggplant in full sun. Soil and feeding. Slice open the eggplant and separate the flesh from the seeds. Alternatively, buy 6- to 8-week-old nursery transplants just before planting. Fill seed trays with a fine, loose growing medium. When starting your eggplant seeds indoors, be sure you have an area to germinate them that is quite warm, 80-90 F. (26-32 C.). 2 Eggplants can grow 2 to 6 feet tall, depending on the variety. Thereafter, the plants will require moderate irrigation and a bi-weekly feeding. Sow eggplant seeds in cell packs or small pots, 1/4 inch deep. Seedlings will emerge in 7-10 days. Once they've germinated, remove the plastic cover and place your pot or flat under lights or in a bright window. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. You should see condensation on the inside of your plastic bag or dome. Sprinkle 10-15 Eggplant seeds in a wet paper towel. Without them, so many cuisines would lose a major element. deep with good quality potting soil in flats or cell containers. Eggplant is not particular about the soil it grows in but will grow best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Give eggplants a head start on the growing season by starting them indoors, six to nine weeks before the average last frost. Put the seeds in a bowl of water and wash the pulp away. Slice open the overripe eggplant and separate the flesh from the seeds, putting the seeds in a bowl of water and rinsing away the pulp. It is imp… When they have their first set of true leaves, it's time to start fertilizing. Eggplants take 60-80 days to mature depending on the variety. Warm, fertile, and well drained. See to it that the seeds are disease-free. of fertilizer to one gallon (4 l.) of water. Planting Eggplant. Eggplants require temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 degrees Celsius) or higher, which may be difficult to provide in the outdoors during spring. Although it is quite challenging to grow eggplants from seeds, this is the common option for many home gardeners. To plant: Start eggplant seeds indoors up to 10 weeks before the last frost date. Although eggplants are heavy feeders, avoid those that are high in nitrogen, which will encourage foliage growth and not fruit. Jacqueline Veissid / Stockbyte / Getty Images. For more details, see our, How To Grow Eggplant From Seed and in Containers, Common Mistakes Made While Growing Seeds Indoors, Vegetable Seeds or Seedlings? If you're concerned about damping off, try watering your eggplant seedlings regularly (about once per week) with a chamomile tea solution. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. It is best to sow eggplant indoors 7-10 weeks before transplanting outside. These plants are also easy to plant and care for. Eggplant must be started from seed indoors in most areas, 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date. Eggplant varieties differ in size, shape, color, and maturation time. You can also fertilize your seedlings with vermicompost tea. Start seeds indoors in flats or peat pots 8–9 weeks prior to the last spring frost date. • While slow, eggplants grow readily from seed sown in pots of quality seed-raising mix, and allow you to grow interesting varieties not readily available as seedlings. Eggplants are a heat-loving vegetable in the Solanaceae family that require two or more months of night temperatures around 70 degrees F. (21 C.) for optimal fruit production. If at all possible, it's best to start with organic eggplant seeds, to ensure that you are receiving untreated seeds from plants grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. These veggies are usually transplanted rather than directly sown in the garden. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Two weeks after germination, fertilize the seedlings once a week with a soluble fertilizer — 1 tablespoon (15 ml.) Eggplant seed planting should occur four to six weeks before your last frost date. Sow eggplant seed ¼ to ½ inch deep and spaced 4 to 5 inches apart. When growing with eggplant seeds instead of nursery starts, the seeds will remain viable for about four years. The Paper Towel Method of seed Germination Take 1 or 2 clean paper towels or napkins. You can use potting soil or the same mix you used when you started the seeds. To extract eggplant seeds, it’s helpful to have a food processor or blender. How to Grow Eggplant. Sow eggplant seeds indoors about six weeks before the climate begins to warm up. You will need some basic equipment to successfully start seeds indoors, but it's well worth it... Caring for Seedlings. Seed is viable for 5 years. You can also use an organic mulch to retain moisture, but don’t apply it until the soil is warm. Keep the soil moist. Globe eggplants are traditional large purple or… Eggplant Growing Guide Crop Rotation Group. Do not plant eggplants near fennel. 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