This process is important for hardening off seedlings so that they will be able to adjust to growing outside. On warm, sunny days you can move your plants outdoors, but be sure to bring them back in if temperatures get below 55 degrees. Once the true leaves have started to appear you can thin out the smallest plants and leave a two inch spacing between each one. Growing eggplant under fluorescent lights for fourteen hours a day and on top of a heating mat can make a big difference in their rate of growth. Keeping your seeds in a warm place is crucial for success. Monitor the water level through the germination period, because if your seeds dry out they might not sprout. Cover the seeds and keep their soil moist without getting soggy. Plant each seed a quarter inch deep with half-inch spacing on both sides. To plant your seeds, soak them overnight before planting them and then plant them in a moistened, living soil. You can start your eggplants indoors about six weeks before the last spring frost, which is usually two weeks after starting your tomatoes and peppers. In much of the United States, eggplants should be started indoors and then transplanted outside in order to extend their growing season. Any temperatures below 65 degrees will stop the plant from progressing and might even kill it.Įggplant seeds take 7 to 14 days to germinate, and purchased seeds should stay good for about five years. Most varieties of eggplant need warm weather and about three months to reach maturity. Understanding Seed Germination for Eggplant If your summers are slightly too short, you can try your hand at fast maturing varieties that take less than 60 days to be ready for harvest. Their ideal daytime temperature is 80-90 degrees and nights that are warmer than 70 degrees.Ī good rule of thumb is that if your climate can grow peppers, you will be able to grow eggplant. When and Where Should You Grow Eggplant?Įggplants thrive in the heat, so to grow them successfully you will need at least three months of hot summer weather. Try your hand at growing eggplants this year and you’ll be happy to enjoy the bounty for months to come.Įggplants can be a little finicky in how you should plant them, so be sure to follow these instructions for your best chance of success. In the right climate conditions, eggplants grow almost as easily as their tomato relatives. There are almost limitless ways to prepare and eat them, meaning that a bumper crop will allow you to experiment with a huge range of recipes. They look as stunning in the garden as they do on your plate. Popular in Central Asia and the Mediterranean, eggplants are a beautiful plant. If your summer nights are spent outdoors grilling, then growing eggplants should be a necessity for your backyard garden.
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