AUBERGINE
- Aubergines are a new addition to our vegetable garden, and I regret not growing them earlier! With so many varieties to try they now have a guaranteed spot on our polytunnel!
- Aubergines originate from a warm climate, if you live somewhere cool such as the UK you will need a warm summer or alternatively grow with the protection of a greenhouse or poly tunnel.
- Good fertile soil is always recommended when growing aubergines, and ideally soil that has been pre warmed.
- Full sun and shelter are essential if you want to maximise your harvest.
Sowing and Growing
- I highly recommend sowing your seeds in small pots or seed modules. This will allow you to start seeds earlier as you can utilise a windowsill or greenhouse. Aubergine seeds need high temperatures to germinate, ideally 20C and above. By planting with protection you can sow seeds 30-40 days earlier than direct sowing.
- When seedlings are big enough to pot on make sure to grow at a temp of no lower than 16*C.
- If you have a heated greenhouse you can sow in late winter/ early spring. Otherwise I wouldn’t attempt to sow any earlier than late April.
- Aubergines are perfect for growing in containers and pots. We have good success planting one plant per 35cm container.
- However, if you are sowing outside space 60cm apart.
- As with most fruiting crops make sure to water regularly, and when flowers appear feed with high potash feed.
- If sown in a hot greenhouse we recommend misting the plant to help the flowers set and reduce red spider mite. If the flowers do not set, the plant will not crop very well.
- When 3/4 fruits have formed remove all the other flowers to allow the plant to focus its energy on developing those fruits.
60cm
Between each row
60cm
Between each plant
5cm
Deep
Harvest
- Aubergines normally take 18-20 weeks from seed to harvest.
- Our top tip is to harvest while the skins are still shiny to avoid a bitter tasting aubergine.
Varieties
- There are so many varieties, with more and more being available every year.
- Here are some that we have grown over the past few years that we highly recommend.
- Black Beauty, Long Purple, Money Maker, Ivory, Bonica, Pinstripe.