Starting Eggplants from Seed
The weather is finally starting to warm up here in the Northeast. Temperatures are expected in the 60s this weekend, and everyone at my farm is working hard to get the gardens ready for the growing season.
As part of the preparations, we’ve started many vegetable seeds inside my greenhouse - among them, eggplant. Eggplant, Solanum melongena, is fairly easy to grow and can be extremely productive. I love eggplant and plant several varieties every summer from small green Asian types to beautifully striped large Italian cultivars. Many of our vegetable seeds come from Johnny's Selected Seeds in central Maine. I discovered Johnny's years ago and have been using their seeds, plants, and tools ever since.
There’s no particular eggplant seed preparation necessary prior to sowing. They can be planted in trays and transplanted outdoors six to eight weeks later. Here are some tips and photos - enjoy. And be sure to watch the special video at the end.
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- Johnny’s Selected Seeds is a privately held, employee-owned organic seed producer in Winslow, Maine. Every year, I get a wide selection of both flower seeds and vegetable seeds from Johnny’s. Once they arrive, Ryan sorts them according to type. http://www.johnnyseeds.com
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- Seed starting trays come in all different sizes and depths. Select the right kind of tray based on the size of the seeds. These trays are also from Johnny’s. They come with rounded cells in trays of 24 or 38 each.
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- Each cell is a couple-inches deep and recommended for a variety of vegetable seeds including our eggplants.
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- Ryan fills the seed starting tray with mix and pats it down lightly into each compartment. The soil should be level with the top of the tray. We seed many plants, so Ryan works in a production line manner in order to get as many trays started as possible.
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- Because I share a lot of eggplants with my family, we plant several trays and several varieties. When starting from seed, it is best to use a pre-made seed starting mix that contains the proper amounts of vermiculite, perlite and peat moss, available at garden supply stores.
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- Once all the packets are organized, Ryan determines what order the eggplant seeds will be started in the trays depending on how long it takes each plant to germinate. Here is a selection all ready.
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- Next, Ryan creates a quarter-inch deep furrow in the middle of each compartment by pressing a finger gently into each cell. This can be done pretty quickly, even with multiple trays.
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- Ryan labels the seed markers and keeps them together with the matching packets. Seeds are usually started about two months before the last frost in the area. If you’re not sure, check online or ask garden center associates when the last frost usually occurs in your location.
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- Once he is ready to drop the seeds, Ryan places a marker into one of the cells, so it is clear what variety is growing in what row of each tray.
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- Every year, we plant both favorite varieties as well as ones that are new to us. There are numerous unusual varieties available to those who grow from seed.
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- Here, the seeds are easier to drop straight from the packet. Eggplant seeds are small, so be sure to take your time dropping them into the tray cells. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of when seeds are sown, when they germinate, and when they are transplanted. These observations will help organize a schedule for the following year. One to two seeds are dropped into each compartment and will be selectively thinned in a few weeks. This process eliminates the weaker sprout and prevents overcrowding, so seedlings don’t have any competition for soil nutrients or room to mature.
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- Here is one of last year’s eggplant beds – I always dedicate a few beds to these heat-loving plants. Although eggplants don’t require staking, the fruits will be straighter and easier to harvest if they are staked. We also stake various vegetables to keep fruits off the ground and to reduce the risk of disease. We use two anchoring stakes at each end of the bed and run gardening twine between them for support.
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- Here are just a few of the glorious eggplants we harvested last summer.
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- Some of the varieties we are planting this season include ‘Paloma’ with a vivid white skin and clean look. ‘Paloma’s’ bell-shaped fruits have distinctive ribbing, a mildly sweet flavor, and a creamy texture. (Photo courtesy of Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- This is ‘Orient Charm’ – a purple Asian type. These grow eight to 10-inches long and range in color from light lavender to bright purple. (Photo courtesy of Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- ‘Orient Express’ is a very dependable eggplant. These plants produce armloads of attractive, slender, and glossy fruits eight to 10-inches long. They are tender, delicately flavored, and quick cooking. (Photo courtesy of Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- This is a traditional black Italian type called ‘Nadia’. ‘Nadia’ produces dark purple fruits that are flavorful, glossy and blemish free. (Photo courtesy of Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- Another traditional looking eggplant is ‘Galine’. This is a high-yielding black to purple bell variety that is very glossy and uniform, with fruits that are six to seven inches long when mature. (Photo courtesy of Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- This purple-and-white mini eggplant is called ‘Fairy Tale’. These are attractive, two to four inch long fruits with wonderful flavor and no bitterness. (Photo courtesy of Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- And here is ‘Calliope’ – a small, oval white-and-purple variegated Indian eggplant. ‘Calliope’ does well even in cooler climates and is flavorful picked either young or fully mature. (Photo courtesy of Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- Once all the seeds are planted, Ryan covers the trays with a top layer of soil mix and pats it down gently to ensure good contact.
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- And then places the trays along with the others in our commercial-sized Urban Cultivator. The Urban Cultivator’s pre-programmed control center adds just the right amount of water, light, humidity, and air. The seeds will remain here until they germinate and can be moved into the main greenhouse. There’s a lot to do before the gardening season begins. What vegetables are you planting from seed this year?
Plus, have you seen this video on my Instagram page @marthastewart48? Your favorite dinner party duo is back, and I can’t wait to reunite with my friend, Snoop Dogg, for more fun in the kitchen. Tune in for Martha and Snoop's Potluck Party Challenge premiering Wednesday, April 3rd at 10/9c on VH1. Enjoy this promo!
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