Can You Grow Eggplant In Southern California?

In general, when there hasn’t been a frost for two weeks, you are SAFE to plant your eggplant outside in California!

Where is eggplant grown in California?

PRODUCTION AREAS AND SEASONS
There are three main eggplant (Solanum melongena) pro- duction regions in California: the southern desert val- leys (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties), the San Joaquin Valley (Stanislaus and Fresno Counties), and the southern coast (Orange County).

Do eggplants grow back every year?

Eggplant plants can come back every year but they usually won’t. Eggplants rarely survive long past the harvest months. A perennial plant eggplant is a rarity outside of tropical climates. Eggplants can come back every year in ideal, tropical conditions.

Can you grow eggplant in hot weather?

Eggplants like it hot! Daytime temperatures need to be 80° to 90°F and night time temperatures should not go below 60° to 65°F or their grow is very slow to stalled. Wait for warmer temperatures; you may have to replant, depending on the variety.

What is the best month to plant eggplant?

Eggplants can only grow in warm soil—50 degrees Fahrenheit or above. 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.

Can you grow eggplant in California?

In general, when there hasn’t been a frost for two weeks, you are SAFE to plant your eggplant outside in California!

What state grows the most eggplant?

New Jersey
The census indicates New Jersey harvested 849 acres of eggplant in 2019, ahead of California’s 705, Florida’s 685 and Georgia’s 624. No other state harvested more than 500 acres. Those 849 acres yield about 16 million pounds of Jersey Fresh Eggplant, with a production value of roughly $6 million.

What temperature is too hot for eggplant?

The optimum daytime growing temperature ranges between 70°F and 85°F. When temperatures rise above 95°F, eggplant ceases to set fruit and may drop flowers or abort immature fruit.

How long does it take for eggplant to produce fruit?

Eggplants are ready to harvest as soon as 70 days after sowing the seeds. Harvest fruits with skin that is glossy and thin. Eggplants can be harvested when they are small, though growing them longer allows for a larger harvest. Harvestable fruits should be firm and inside seeds should not be visible once cut open.

Do eggplants need a trellis?

Yes, it’s wise to create a support for eggplants. Staking eggplant keeps the fruit from touching the ground, which in turn, reduces the risk of disease and fosters fruit shape, especially for elongated eggplant varieties.

What is the secret for growing eggplant?

One of the biggest secrets of all for growing eggplant with success is to give it plenty of light. Eggplant is a beautiful plant in the garden, with large foliage and colorful fruit that suspends from above. One of the biggest keys of all to growing eggplant is to give it plenty of sunlight.

What can you not plant with eggplant?

Eggplant – A good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach, and thyme. Do not plant eggplants near fennel.

How hard is it to grow eggplant?

Thanks to their broad leaves, eggplant seedlings grow quickly, gaining size faster than tomatoes or peppers. If you have a long, warm growing season and use a split season planting plan, you can start seeds in midsummer for a fall crop. Set out the seedlings out during a spell of cloudy weather.

How often should eggplant be watered?

Eggplant also needs consistent water, at least 1 inch per week. It is better to give one thorough soaking than several frequent, short waterings, because frequent watering promotes shallow roots. Weather and soil type, of course, will affect water demand.

Do you need more than one eggplant to produce fruit?

Eggplant seedlings can be kept warm by covering the garden with floating row cover, like Reemay. The cover can stay up until the summer heat sets in, but be sure to adjust it as the plants grow taller. Eggplants are self-pollinating, so there is no need to remove the cover to give pollinating insects access.

How tall do eggplant plants get?

Plants can grow 2 to 4 feet tall and wide, which means they need to be staked. Eggplants also thrive in heat like their close relatives tomatoes and peppers, so they go outside until after cool spring temperatures pass. Fruit fails to set at temperatures below 65°F.

Why is my eggplant not fruiting?

Eggplants become stressed and stop producing fruit for several reasons, mainly insufficient water and temperatures above 90°F (32°C). Aside from dry conditions, flowers could be dropping because of cold weather, pollination issues, soil deficiencies, or pest damage.

How do you take care of a potted eggplant?

Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. Fill the container with a high quality potting soil that will drain quickly. Add a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting and then every few weeks during the season, especially when plants start to bloom. Water deeply and consistently, but don’t overwater.

How do I make my eggplant bear more fruit?

If you have poor fruit set, hand-pollinate the flowers to help increase production. Use an electric toothbrush to vibrate to flower stems (not the flowers themselves) for a few seconds each to help the pollen move within the flowers. 9. The more frequently the fruits are harvested, the greater the fruit set.

What country eats the most eggplant?

China
China (34M tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of eggplant consumption, accounting for 67% of total volume.

What is the biggest eggplant in the world?

3.12 kg
The heaviest aubergine (Solanum melongena) weighed 3.12 kg (6 lb 14 oz) and was grown by Peter Glazebrook (UK) for entry in the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championships, held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire, UK, on 23 September 2021.