About Aubergines
Aubergines are also commonly known as eggplants – this is more used in America. The family they are part of are the peppers and tomatoes. The variety in the shops you see are the large purple ones but as anything you can grow different varieties which you don’t see in shops. These come in all different shapes, sizes and colours. On this page find out how to grow aubergines.
Aubergines are becoming more and more popular to grow at home as they are expensive to purchase from shops. As such new types of Aubergines are getting introduced to make it easier for you to do this and for them to be grown in the UK. One of the main things for growing aubergines is the right growing conditions – They need sunshine and somewhere warm like a greenhouse or a polytunnel to get a good crop from them.
Recommended varieties of Aubergine
There is numerous varieties of aubergine but two that stand out as winners are Black Beauty which produces nice shiny fruit and it is quick to get to the mature stage. The other variety is Money maker (no it does not make you money!), this one is very productive plant so expect to get quite a few growing on this plant.
Choosing the best spot to grow aubergines.
To grow Aubergine you need to find a sunny and warm spot so the ideal place is in a greenhouse or in a polytunnel. If you have neither of these you can pick up a cheap mini greenhouse to grow them in. Just remember to bolt it down so it does not blow away.
Aubergine grow at there best in either tubs or in a grow bag. Add plenty of organic matter to your pots if this is the way you are growing them.
Sowing Aubergine
When sowing aubergine it needs to be at a warm temperature of around 19-21 degrees. So either use a heated propagator, or in the house. If you are sowing them in a heated propagator sow them in January in the greenhouse but if you are growing them in the house on a windowsill sow them in February.
When the plants are large enough to handle transfer the seedlings to individual pots so they can get stronger and their roots can spread out.
If you have trouble being able to start an aubergine plant you can now buy plants from garden centres.
How to sow Aubergine Video
Growing Aubergine
As mentioned earlier aubergine like to be grown in warm conditions so generally can not be grown outside. You will need a greenhouse or a poly tunnel to grow them as you will get better results.
Aubergines can either be grown in pots or in the open ground if it’s warm. Once the seedlings have grown and you transfer them to a pot, transfer them to a 3 inch pot. When the roots have filled this transfer them to a 9 inch pot.
If you are growing Aubergines in the ground they need to be spaced at least 60cm apart in the greenhouse or polytunnel.
The temperature the aubergine needs to be grown at is around 18-20 degrees.
Looking after your Aubergine plants
When the plants reach around 35cm in height pinch the tops off them. This will encourage the plants to put the strength into the fruit and making them swell. Ideally you only want around 3-5 aubergines growing per plant so pinch out any extra flowers that are growing. If they are a small variety of aubergine you do not need to thin out. Make sure you keep the plants watered regularly and keep the plants humid by spraying them with water regularly. Make sure you also feed the plants. The aubergine plants like to be fed high potash liquid.
Harvesting Aubergine
The best time to harvest aubergine is from August on wards. Wait until the fruit is around 15 cm and the skin is nice and shiny. Once it gets to the end of summer the fruits will not reach maturity so any new ones growing pull them off. This will help the plant ripen the fruit that is currently on.
Common problems with Aubergines
There are a few issues that can affect Aubergines when you are growing them. These are:-
Whitefly
The small whiteflys are an issue as they suck the sap and excrete sticky liquid over the plant. This causes sooty mould to form. The best way to stop this is to use sticky traps in the greenhouse
Aphids
Aphids cause the same issue as White fly by sucking the sap from the plants. Look for greenfly on the plants or on the leaves. If you find aphids use your fingers and thumbs to squish them.
Glasshouse red spider or two spotted mite
These are on your plants when it’s usually hot and dry. The best way is to mist your plants regularly. You can usually tell your plants have these when the leaves are covered in webbing.
You can find out more information on Aubergines here. You can also learn about growing other vegetables here. Why not try growing your own flowers with our tips here.
