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