When to Pick Eggplant

Eggplants must be uniform in color before picking.

Eggplants are warm-season vegetables that are rich in fiber, potassium and vitamin B1. A serving size contains less than 30 calories, making them an excellent choice in a healthy diet. When to pick eggplants depend on when you start the seeds or when you transplant them outdoors.

Planting Seeds

Start eggplant seeds indoors. Sow them in cell packs or small individual containers with high quality potting soil about six to eight weeks before you plan to transplant them outdoors. Place them in an area of your home that is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the soil slightly moist. After they germinate, place them near a sunny window.

Transplanting Outdoors

It's imperative that you wait until after the last spring frost before transplanting your egg plants outdoors. If you don't, they may become damaged if a frost does occur. You can also purchase container eggplants at a garden center if you did not start them from seed yourself. You must transplant the six to eight week old transplants at least three to four months before the first expected fall frost to give them adequate time to mature for harvesting before a frost comes and damages your crop.

When to Harvest

Expect your eggplant to be ready for harvest about 65 to 80 days after you transplanted the young plants into your garden. If you started them from seed, they will most likely be ready to harvest in approximately 100 to 120 days after sowing. Look for eggplants that are uniform in color, large and shiny. Test eggplants that appear to be ripe by pressing your thumbnail into the side of the eggplant. If the impression stays, it's ready for harvest.

Harvesting Tips

Harvest your eggplant crop twice a week so your eggplants do not over ripen in the garden. Carefully lift the eggplant and look at all sides to be sure they look good before picking. Most eggplants are slightly larger than an adult's hand, but some varieties such as Japanese eggplants are only as big as a hot dog. Wear gloves while harvesting since eggplants have thorns. Cut the eggplant's stem a couple inches above the fruit with scissors or a sharp knife rather than twisting and pulling, which can possibly hurt the plant, which may still be producing fruit, in the process. Eggplant will store in the refrigerator for a week.

References

• Clemson Cooperative Extension; Eggplant; Nancy Doubrava et al.; May 1999
• Veggie Gardener: How and When To Pick Eggplant
• University of Illinois Extension: Eggplant
• World's Healthiest Foods: Eggplant