Eggplant – Black Beauty

Heirloom.
A favorite eggplant since it’s introduction in 1902 that remains a standard worldwide. Plants yield beautiful large dark purple 1-3 pound oblong eggplants. It grows well in most areas. Fruits have excellent flavor, tasting great any way you prepare them. Wonderful steamed, grilled, fried, stuffed, in casseroles and added to spagetti. Much earlier than other varieties. They are large producers of 8-10 inch fruits. If you keep them picked you will have an abundance of fresh eggplant until frost. Keeps well. A very good choice!
Sowing: Starting indoors is recommended, starting 10 weeks before planting out. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in well drained soil. Best sown in individual peat pots as they do not like root disturbance. Keep soil moist during germination. Transplant when the soil temperature is 60 degees F. And outside temperatures are 70 degrees F. in the day and 45 degrees F. at night and about 2-3 weeks after all danger of frost. Plant in full sun. Harden off transplants for 10-14 days.
Germination: 10-14 days Spacing: Space plants 18-24 inches apart. Space rows 24-36 inches apart. Days to maturity: 80-85 days
Moisture: Keep soil moist not soggy Soil: Rich fertile soil with plenty of organic matter Light: Full sun
Information: Mulching eggplant is beneficial. Harvesting fruits when they are ripe helps increase yields. Harvest when fruits are firm and plump, by cutting fruit from the stem. Best to not grow eggplant in the same location each year.
solanum melongeana
Heirloom
Annual