Plant eggplants today and enjoy a long harvest of delicious, homegrown vegetables. Perfect for sunny Australian gardens, eggplants are easy to grow, highly productive and packed with flavour and nutrients.

When to plant

Eggplant can be planted throughout autumn and winter in warmer temperate zones, spring and summer for the colder southern states of Australia visit the Winter Herbs Fruit Vegies Planting Guide by Regional Zone.

Soil preparation

Choose a position in the garden which receives 6-8 hours of sun each day.  After you have selected the position, consider which variety serves you best. Enrich the existing soil with 5IN1® Organic Fertiliser  or use Searles Herb & Vegetable Specialty Mix for new pots. Avoid replanting them once established as they are fussy about their roots being disturbed. Mulching will cut back on weeds and protect their roots.  Leave plenty of room between each plant for good air circulation to limit the possibility of fungal disease. Some varieties can grow up to 1m tall, so stake the plants to help them support the weight of the branches and fruit.  Like tomatoes and other vegetable crops, crop rotation is another way to limit soil born issues. Planted with potato or bean plants makes the vegetable patch super-efficient, plus they don’t compete.

Planting

Depending on your variety, not all eggplants turn into the dark purple trademark appearance, some are white and finger shape or speckled mauve and white. There is a variety called Patio Eggplants that are perfect for larger pots on balconies. The seed packet or punnet will give you an indication how long it will take to harvest, typically it is two to three months.

Eggplants produce a bounty of fruit so don’t fall into the trap of overplanting, unless you have lots of eggplant recipes or are great at preserving. Eggplants love rich, well composted soil and mulched well to keep competing weeds at bay. Eggplant varieties vary in size, shape and colour when maturity is reached. Protect them from strong winds, soggy soil, frosts, poor air circulation and sunburn. Eggplants can grow for up to six months of the year depending on your region.

Eggplants do not like being transplanted, so for best results sew directly into soil (widely spaced) or in individual cell-pack punnets. They are sensitive to frost, so if in cooler region grow the seedlings inside until they are more mature and the soil has warmed. When planting eggplants remember to allow for good circulation and leave sufficient room for staking as plant matures. Six plants will provide you with an excellent harvest. 

Feeding & watering

Young eggplants should be feed fortnightly with SeaMax Organic Fertiliser Liquid until fruit develops, then stop feeding. Keep the plants well mulched and weed free to allow air circulation and reduce humidity and moisture loss. Water eggplant regularly so that they do not dry out, but refrain from over watering as this may lead to fungal problems.

Pests & Diseases

Eggplant are susceptible to soil born fungus and verticillium wilt. Practice crop rotation, water in the morning and improve drainage to avoid these issues. Do not put infested plants in the compost. If plants become infested with aphids or caterpillar spray with Searles Bug Beater Natural Pyrethrum Spray or hand pick. Eggplant fruit are also susceptible to sunburn, so shelter the fruit behind leaves or create a shade cloth cover during the hotter months.

Harvesting

Regular picking encourages fruit production. The best time to harvest the common purple eggplant is when it turns a deep purple, for other varieties refer to the growers instructions on the plant tag or seed packet.

Companion Planting

Eggplant make good companion plants for beans and potatoes.

RECIPE Turkish Eggplant Casserole How to Grow Potato