Eggplant

Classic Eggplant

Classic Eggplants are glossy, elongated oval shaped with a black-purple color.  Eggplants produce an egg-shaped, purple or long, green fruit that is 6-9 inches long.  Classic Eggplant matures in 76 days. Most other varieties average 65-85 days.  At harvest, fruit should be large, shiny and uniform in color.  When the side of the fruit is pressed slightly with thumbnail and an indentation remains, the fruit is ripe.

Outstanding Features:  Two words:  Eggplant Parmesan.

Ichiban Eggplant

Ichiban Eggplants are longer than Classic Eggplants but have a similar deep-purple coloring.  Eggplants produce an egg-shaped, purple or long, green fruit that is 6-9 inches long.  At harvest, fruit should be large, shiny and uniform in color.  When the side of the fruit is pressed slightly with thumbnail and an indentation remains, the fruit is ripe.

Outstanding Features:  Excellent for oriental dishes, grilling and roasting.

Louisiana Long Green Eggplant

Louisiana Long Green Eggplants are 8 to 10 inches long, light green, banana shaped and grow on tall, vigorous plants.  They can weigh about 6 ounces a piece and have a sweet, nutty flavor with no bitterness.  The eggplants are ready for harvest in about 100 days.

Outstanding Features:  High yielding plants.  Heirloom plant from Louisiana.

Rosa Bianca Heirloom

Rosa Bianca Eggplant starts out with beautiful lavender blooms that produce rosy, pink oval-shaped fruit.  It has a creamy consistency and a never bitter, delicate flavor in 8 inches of culinary goodness.  Eggplants harvest in about 80 days.

Outstanding Features:  Very showy and attractive to consumers.

How To Grow:  Plant in full sun.

Transplant after the danger of frost has passed when the soil is thoroughly warm.  Eggplants are heavy feeders.  Fertilize with 2-3 tablespoons of ammonium nitrate per 10 feet of row after the first harvest and every 3-4 weeks after that.

Spacing:  Plant 24″ apart in 40″ rows.

Height:  Grows 24″ to 36″ tall.

Tips:  Eggplant is somewhat drought tolerant and should not be overly watered as this may cause the plant to develop root rot.  Mulching can help to keep the plant moist and watering can be increased once flowering has occurred.  Since Eggplant is a heavy feeder, you may need to provide it with extra fertilizer to produce a good crop.