How to Grow Japanese Eggplants

Japanese eggplants differ from the common varieties in several ways. They are small, long and thin, and more tender than the larger eggplants. The richly colored purple-black vegetable is attractive in the garden and can be used in many dishes. Japanese eggplants are becoming popular with home gardeners because of their smaller size and because they can be started from seed. They grow best in USDA zones 7 through 11. Nurseries sometimes carry seedlings for Japanese varieties as well.

Things You'll Need

• Seeds Containers Soil Fertilizer Compost Manure Straw mulch

Instructions

1. Start Japanese eggplants indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date. Fill containers with soil. Sow seeds on the surface of the soil and water thoroughly. Set in a warm, sunny location to germinate in approximately 14 days.

2. Work compost and manure into the garden bed to prepare for the seedlings. Eggplants need rich, well-drained soil and lots of sun to thrive.

3. Plant seedlings 1 1/2 feet apart in rows after all danger of spring frost has passed. Dig a hole deep enough to cover the root ball completely.

4. Add a general-purpose fertilizer once a month. Eggplants need plenty of water, so water daily and don't allow the soil to dry out. Mulch around plants with straw to keep weeds down and retain moisture.

5. Harvest eggplants after 65 to 8o days, or once they reach full color and the desired size, but before the skin begins to dull. Ripe Japanese eggplants have a glossy, dark purple skin. Eggplants will produce until the first frost.

Tips & Warnings

• Pesticide dusts will control insect infestations.

• Cover eggplants at the first threat of frost.

References

• Sunset
• Gardener's Net

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• USDA gardening zone finder