Planting Eggplant Seeds Outdoors

November 17, 2024 Post a Comment

Planting eggplant seeds outdoors

Eggplant seed can be sown directly in the garden if the soil temperature is warm enough—and there are enough days in the season for plants to reach maturity. Seedlings started indoors should be kept under grow lights or in a sunny window after germination. Keep the indoor nighttime temperature above 62°F (17°C).

What month do you plant eggplant seeds?

The best time to plant eggplant is in late spring after the last threat of frost. Eggplants have a long growing season, so you'll need to start them indoors around eight weeks before your region's last frost date.

Do I need to soak eggplant seeds before planting?

Eggplant seeds have a better chance of growing if they are soaked thoroughly before planting. Place the seeds in a small container and completely cover them with water. Let the seeds sit overnight, then drain the water.

How late can you plant eggplant seeds?

Plant eggplant seeds indoors 7 weeks before your last spring frost and outdoors 1-2 weeks after your last spring frost. Eggplants can be planted throughout the summer up until 14 weeks before your first fall frost.

How many eggplant seeds to plant per hole?

Exceptions to The Rule Like most things in gardening, there are always exceptions to this rule of 2-3 seeds per hole. If you're planting large seeds like cucumbers, melons, or pumpkins, you should only use one seed per hole.

Do eggplants grow back every year?

You sure can! It's called overwintering. And, if your climate is warm enough (or you can keep the plant warm enough) you can keep your same eggplant plant alive for years to come. You can do this with a variety of other plants too, such as peppers (hot or sweet), tomatoes, & okra!

Do eggplants need full sun?

S. melongena thrives in full sun, with a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day, and fertile, well draining soil with a pH between 5.5-7.2. As members of the Solanaceae family, along with peppers and tomatoes, it's no surprise that eggplants prefer hot weather.

Can eggplant be planted in September?

Planting and Maintenance Eggplant prefers evenly moist soil, but usually requires less water than tomatoes. In North Florida, start eggplant in your garden between February and March, or in August. For Central Florida gardens, start between January and February or between August and September.

How often do you water eggplant seeds?

Water eggplant deeply and infrequently, applying 1-2 inches per week. Use drip irrigation if possible. Mulching around the plant will conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Irrigate so that moisture goes deeply into the soil.

Can you put seeds straight into soil?

Growing from seeds indoors is one way of starting your garden. Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results.

How many days does it take for eggplant seeds to germinate?

Optimal soil temperature: 24-32°C (75-90°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-12 days.

Do you cover eggplant seeds?

To plant: Start eggplant seeds indoors up to 10 weeks before the last frost date. Plant the seeds 1/4inch deep, water after planting and cover loosely with plastic to retain moisture.

Is July too late to plant eggplant?

Tomato, eggplant, and pepper plants can be put into the ground at the end of June; once the temperatures warm up in July these plants will take off and grow quickly. Bean and squasha seeds can be sown if they are in the ground by July 1st.

Can eggplant survive 40 degrees?

Eggplant temperature requirements are high. They need temperatures from 20°C to 30°C (70°F – 85°F) and plenty of sunlight in order to thrive. Frost or temperature above 35°C (95°F) may cause a delay in flowering and serious damage to tissues and flowers.

Is eggplant easy to grow from seed?

Eggplant is easy to grow as long as the plants get enough light and heat. How long does it take to grow eggplant? In general, it takes 100 to 120 days to go from seed to harvestable eggplants.

How many eggplants do you get from one seed?

The standard eggplant produces egg-shaped, glossy, purple-black fruit. 'Black Beauty' is the traditional eggplant size. One plant produces 4 to 6 large rounded fruit.

How deep should eggplant be planted?

Planting. Start eggplant seeds about eight weeks before planting outside. Plant seeds one-fourth inch deep, in flats containing sterile, soilless germination mix. Use a heating mat to keep the flat at 75°F to 85°F until seedlings emerge.

How deep should eggplant seeds be?

Sow eggplant seeds ½ inch deep. Space plants 18-24 inches apart.

Do you need 2 eggplants to produce fruit?

ANSWER: Eggplants are sometimes referred to as the perfect pollinator, because they have the rare ability to self-pollinate within the same flower. Usually, your eggplants will either self-pollinate, or they will get a little bit of help from the bee population.

What is the lifespan of an eggplant plant?

How long do eggplant plants live? Eggplant plants can live up to three years in very warm climates, like zones 10-12. But in most regions they're grown as annuals, and only live for one season.