Is Eggplant A Cold Crop?

Eggplant is a heat-loving vegetable that does best in temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures inhibit pollination and fruit-set; at 50 degrees, the flowers will drop.

Is eggplant A cold food?

Eggplants are best eaten young, since the mature seeds get very bitter because they contain nicotinoid alkaloids. The eggplant is considered a “cooling” food in traditional Chinese medicine and is recommended for summer. It is rich in calcium, potassium and vitamins, especially vitamin E.

What temperature does eggplant need to grow?

It thrives in full sun and requires at least five months of warm weather for fruit production. 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 cold hardy is eggplant?

Eggplant is generally more sensitive to cooler temperatures than its cousins, tomatoes and peppers. Flowers consistently set fruit down to 60 F nighttime temperatures. Eggplants begin to get chilling injury at temperatures below 50 F.

Do eggplants like heat?

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.

Will eggplant survive the winter?

In a nutshell, your eggplants can survive winter weather, but not on their own. Eggplants are perennial plants which means that they regrow every year. Eggplants never stop growing all year. Many perennials are accustomed to winter weather and become dormant during colder months.

Why is eggplant not good for you?

Eggplants are part of the nightshade family. Nightshades contain alkaloids, including solanine, which can be toxic. Solanine protects these plants while they are still developing. Eating the leaves or tubers of these plants can lead to symptoms such as burning in the throat, nausea and vomiting, and heart arrhythmias.

Do eggplants need full sun?

As a basic rule of thumb, vegetables grown for their fruit or roots—such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, potatoes, or carrots—require full sun, which is defined as a garden location that receives at least six hours of direct sun each day.

How long do eggplants take to grow?

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.

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.

How do eggplants grow in cold climates?

Lower temperatures inhibit pollination and fruit-set; at 50 degrees, the flowers will drop. To grow eggplant in your area, start by growing cultivars that tolerate cool temperatures, such as ‘Orient Express’ or ‘Elondo’. Then raise the bed’s soil temperature by setting the plants in black plastic mulch.

Do eggplants come 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.

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 much water do eggplants need?

1 inch per week
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.

Are eggplants hard to grow?

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 many seasons do eggplants last?

How Long Does Eggplant Last?

	Pantry	Fridge
Eggplant (whole)	3 – 4 days	7 days
Eggplant (cut)		3 – 4 days
Eggplant (cooked)		3 – 4 days

Is eggplant an inflammatory food?

There’s no scientific evidence to date showing nightshade vegetables cause inflammation. Even so, that doesn’t mean anecdotal evidence is wrong. Food allergies and intolerances are on the rise worldwide. To know for certain how nightshades impact you, try an elimination diet.

Is eggplant good for high blood pressure?

A: Japanese researchers noted that eggplant is rich in acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter with an effect on blood pressure. When they conducted an experiment with hypertensive rats, they found that feeding them eggplant lowered their blood pressure (Food Chemistry, March 15, 2019).

Is eggplant good for arthritis?

Some people with arthritis swear that nightshade vegetables — such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers — cause their arthritis to flare. While there aren’t any studies to support a link between arthritis pain and most nightshades, tomatoes may be an exception. That’s because they raise levels of uric acid.

What is best fertilizer for eggplant?

A balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) is often recommended for eggplant. Feeding too much nitrogen at this point can result in large, leafy plants that fail to produce fruit.

What grows well with eggplant?

Peppers, both sweet and hot, make good companion plants, as they have the same growing needs and are susceptible to the same pests and diseases. Tomatoes are often used as eggplant companions. Again, be sure not to shade the eggplant. Potatoes and spinach are also said to make great companion plantings too.