Eggplants are heavy feeders — an adequate supply of nutrients is needed throughout the growing season. In most home gardens, eggplants grow to 24 to 30″ tall. How to Plant Japanese Eggplant. In addition, eggplant is a sun loving plant and should be positioned in an area that receives full sunlight. Because eggplant requires a long growing season, gardeners typically set out transplants in March once danger of frost has passed and daytime temperatures are consistently above 70°F. It takes about 100 to 120 days for eggplants to mature when grown from seed. The best time to plant Japanese eggplant outdoors is in late spring after the last threat of spring frost—since eggplants have a long growing season, you’ll want to start them indoors around eight weeks before your region’s last frost date. The eggplant is a heat-lover, optimally needing a long season of 80-90 degree days. A gentle reminder here - temperatures below 50°F can damage these tropical natives so, if an unexpected cold spell hits, cover the plants to provide protection. Japanese eggplant is exactly like standard eggplant with the exception of its fruit's shape: it has a longer … Before you plant in the spring, put down black landscape cloth at the beginning of the growing season; this keeps the larvae from developing. The Secrets to Growing Japanese Eggplant. (Try it … Grow an eggplant variety suited to the number of days in your region that can match the soil and air temperatures eggplants demand. Growing season: Summer. This past summer, Skolnik said, he grew a Black Beauty eggplant … Warm-season flowers Early tomatoes Cucumbers Melons Corn Squash Beans Okra Crops out by August 1. At the end of the growing season, unearth the larvae by tilling up your garden. Eggplants love sun, so find a spot with at least 6 hours of light and set up your pots. San Diego reader Don Skolnik wrote to our SoCal Garden Clinic to ask if eggplant can be grown as a perennial. Because eggplant really needs warm soil to grow well, gardeners in cool climates often do best growing the plants in large, dark-colored containers. Moving the pots isn’t important, however, unless you live in a cool area. Plant June 1 – July 1 Succession planting of warm-season crops Cover crops Crops out by November 1. Commonly sliced, battered and fried, eggplant can also be used in lasagna and casseroles. Basic requirements Eggplants are warm-season crops which require a long growing season.They grow best in regions where the daytime temperature is between 26 and 32°C (80–90°F) and night time temperatures around 21°C (70°F). On a sunny day, soil temperatures inside black pots may be 10 degrees or more higher than in-ground soil temperatures. Lightly dust the leaves of the plants and the ground with diatomaceous earth. Late tomatoes Pumpkins Crops out by October 1. Peppers Eggplant Crops out by November 1. Northwest gardeners will be most successful with short-season (60 days) smaller fruited types. Time to harvest: After transplanting, you’ll harvest your first eggplant in 65 to 80 days. Height: Although eggplants can grow to 8 feet tall, most eggplants will only reach 2 to 4 feet. If you’re able to move them to follow the sun as the growing season progresses, your eggplant will be even happier.