Eggplant

Eggplant (Solanum melongena), also called aubergine or brinjal, belongs to the nightshade family along with tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. It is a very tender, warm-season annual. Gardening experts list it as an annual in North Carolina, though it can be a short-lived perennial. Fruit colors range from white, green and purple to black depending on the variety.

Sowing. Sow seeds in a prepared potting mix about ½ inch (1.3 cm) deep. Seeds germinate in 8 to 12 days and germinate quickly when the soil is between 70 and 90 °F (21 to 32 °C). Seeds do not germinate well in cold soil, so gardening experts suggest a heat mat set to 80 °F (27 °C) until seedlings emerge.

Transplanting. Set plants out in spring after the last chance of frost and once the soil has warmed thoroughly. Gardening experts suggest 6 to 8 week old transplants, while Maryland recommends 8 to 10 week old transplants. Avoid tall, spindly transplants or plants already flowering, since blossoms slow growth after transplanting.

Spacing and sun. Space plants 24 inches (61 cm) apart in the row. Other guides give 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm) in row and 30 to 36 inches (76 to 91 cm) between rows, or 2 to 2½ feet (61 to 76 cm) apart with rows 3 to 4 feet (91 to 122 cm) apart. Plant in full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct light a day; Maryland notes it prefers 8 to 10 hours.

Watering. Keep the soil evenly moist, since a uniform moisture supply matters most during fruit set and fruit development. Gardening experts advise watering deeply and infrequently, about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) per week, and notes that irregular watering can cause tough fruit or root rot.

Mulch and support. Black plastic mulch or black landscape fabric can give earlier harvests and higher yields. Do not put organic mulch around plants until the soil is warmer than 75 °F (24 °C). When plants reach about 12 inches (30 cm) tall, nip the growing tip to encourage branching, and support plants with cages or a trellis.

Feeding. Eggplant needs moderate fertilizer, and a soil test is the best guide. Avoid over-fertilizing, which encourages leafy growth and delays flowering and fruiting.

Flea beetles, tomato hornworms, Colorado potato beetles and cutworms are potential pests. Flea beetles are a common pest and can cause shothole damage to leaves. Verticillium wilt can occur; gardening experts recommend disease-resistant cultivars and crop rotation. Gardening experts note there is no varietal resistance to Verticillium wilt, and crop rotation can help reduce it. Sunscald can happen when fruit is exposed to hot, dry sun, so gardening experts suggest keeping soil moisture uniform and keeping good leaf cover.

Harvest when the skin is very glossy and an indentation remains when the side of the fruit is pressed gently with a thumbnail. Cut the stems with pruners or a sharp knife, because the stems are tough. Fruit gets stringy and bitter as it matures, so pick it while it is still young. Harvesting often, at least weekly, keeps production going.

Mature eggplant keeps about 1 week at 45 to 50 °F (7 to 10 °C) and 90 percent humidity. Gardening experts give 50 to 55 °F (10 to 13 °C) for about 7 days and warns that refrigerated fruit can suffer chilling injury.

Gardening experts say caution should be taken to protect children and pets. The fruits and seeds are edible, but the fruits should not be eaten raw. Gardening experts say the flowers, leaves, stems and roots are poisonous and should not be eaten, and that swallowing them can cause throat burning, nausea, vomiting and irregular heart rhythm, which may be fatal. The plant is also listed as a problem for cats and dogs.