Learn how to grow eggplant, also known as brinjal or aubergine, for your yummy homegrown meals.
Eggplant is a relative to the tomato and potato. But let’s face facts – you either love it or hate it! I love it and the rest of my family hate it so we do not grow much of it, just a plant or two for me!
You can get different varieties from long thing purple ones to pear shaped ones that can be almost black.
How to grow eggplant – planting
Sow seeds in seed trays and then plant out when about 10cm high into freshly dug over, composted soil. You can also buy seedlings in summer and plant these into your prepared beds.
Long term care & harvesting
When they start to flower give them a good feed with a high nitrogen feed like worm juice or manure tea. As soon as they are large enough to use, start harvesting them by cutting just above the petiole. Do not leave them on the plant too long as by cutting off ready fruit you will stimulate the plant to produce more flowers thus more fruit.
Quick Notes
When to plant: Sow seed Spring to Early Summer. Plant out seedlings as ready.
How many plants: 6 plants.
How long to harvest: 14 – 16 weeks
Successive planting: You may only have time for one sowing. If you live in a warm climate you can sow successively in 3 week stretches.
EASY EGGPLANT RECIPE
There are so many ways to use this vegetable but I love it sliced thinly, sprayed with olive oil, sprinkled with freshly ground salt and pepper and grilled in the oven.You can also cut them in thick slices and put them in a flour and salt batter, fry on both sides and put on a hamburger bun with salads for a vegeterian “hamburger”. Top it with some homemade salsa to add some zing to your meal!
