Eggplant CareThe first thing you should know about eggplant care is that’s sensitive to cold, an eggplant needs a lengthy warm season for best produce. This vegetable is a heavy feeder, which simple means it requires a soil rich in nutrients. This is easily achieved a with a quality gardening mix or addition of manure and/or compost.A soil pH 6.0 is perfect for growing the eggplants. Eggplant transplants are set in the garden after the threat of frost passed. These vegetables are a little bigger than peppers and are planted farther apart. Careful attention must be given to eggplants if you expect a good harvest. Planting Eggplants It is best to start eggplants from transplants. Choose plants in individual containers or cell packs. Getting the plants off to an appropriate start is a crucial step in eggplant care. Eggplants should not be planted too early. The time to transplant is after the soil has already warmed and the threat of frost has passed. Eggplants must be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart from each other in the row. The small fruited types can be planted closer. Plant them 30 to 36 inches apart between rows in raised planting beds. To warm up heavy clay soils, cover the beds with black plastic. If you plan on using seeds, your looking at a germination period of 10-12 days. Soaking the seeds in water overnight may speed germination. A soil temperature above 80 degrees is recommend. Eggplant Care For transplanting, starter fertilizer can be used. When the plants are already half grown, side-dress nitrogen fertilizer is recommended. Immediately after harvesting the first fruits, the same fertilizer should be used too. Eggplant enjoys the summer heat if given enough moisture and fertility. They can stand the dry weather when they are well set up. But, they should still be irrigated in long dry period to make sure there’s a constant peak production. Harvesting Eggplants Eggplants are best harvested when they are about 6 to 8 inches in height and are still glossy. Harvest eggplants when they are still young. Its size doesn’t always indicate maturity. You can test this by holding the eggplant in your hand and slowly pressing it using your thumb. If the flesh is pushed down but bounces back, it can be harvested already. If the flesh is still hard, the eggplant is still immature and is too young for harvesting. When harvesting the plants, use pruning shears or a knife instead of twisting or breaking the plants’ stems. Caution must be exercised when harvesting since a lot of eggplant varieties have small thorns on its stem and calyx. When you see the vegetables turn brown and dull, they are already too mature to consider for culinary use. The brown and dull ones should be cut off and removed. Common Problems Like other vegetables, eggplants have problems. A common problem is the Verticillium wilt which causes the plants to turn yellow, wilt and die. Flea beetles also cause small holes in the leaves of the eggplant. It can cause severe damage if not checked. Insecticide can be applied to control these beetles. Similar Posts _________________________________________________________________ Top of Eggplant Care Listed under Gardening Plants |