Gretel (F1) Eggplant Seed

Scientific name

Solanum melongena

Soil

Eggplant needs fertile, free-draining soil with a pH of about 6.2–6.8. Go easy on nitrogen: too much grows big, leafy plants that set only one small flush of fruit.

Days to maturity

Counted from transplanting.

Starting transplants

Sow indoors in early spring, about 6–8 weeks before planting out, 4 seeds per inch and 1/4" deep in flats. Seed will not sprout in cool soil, so hold the mix at 80–90°F (27–32°C) until seedlings appear, then about 70°F (21°C). Once true leaves form, thin to 2–3" apart or move seedlings into 2–3" pots or plug trays. Harden off for about a week at around 60°F (16°C) with less water.

Transplanting

Plant out in late spring or early summer only after the weather has fully settled; cold spells set eggplant back. Space plants 18" apart in rows 30–36" apart, or run 2 rows on plastic mulch with 18–24" between plants. Row cover helps plants grow faster and keeps insects off; remove it when plants touch the fabric or start to bloom.

Crop care

Pruning and staking keep plants upright and the fruit straight.

Insect pests

Row cover over new transplants is the best defense against flea beetles and Colorado potato beetles. After the cover comes off, check leaf undersides often and crush the orange egg clusters of the potato beetle.

Disease

Rotate tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and eggplant off the same ground for 4–5 years to avoid Verticillium wilt.

Harvest

Cut the stem with pruning shears rather than pulling. Pick fruit at the size you want and keep picking regularly so plants keep setting.

Transplants

Plan on about 800 plants per 1,000 seeds.

Packet

25 seeds.

Seeds per oz.

About 8,200 on average.