Soil requirements
- A 10–12 inch bed is usually enough if drainage is good.
- Too much nitrogen makes leaves instead of fruit, same as peppers.
Watering
- Keep soil evenly moist after flowering. Dry swings make bitter, seedy fruit.
- Mulch. Water the soil, not the foliage.
Sunlight
Full sun and heat. This is a poor crop for cool, foggy summers.
Planting
- Transplant after nights stay in the 60s °F. They sulk in the 50s.
- Stake or cage once fruit loads the branches.
Spacing
- 18–24 inches. Square-foot: 1 per square.
Common problems
Flea beetles
Shot-holes in leaves, especially on young plants. Row cover until flowering if beetles are bad.
Slow start
Almost always cold soil. Wait. Do not drown a stalled plant.
Helpful tools
- Stake or small cage
- Row cover in beetle country
Product links will be added when independently researched. See the garden tools hub for buying criteria.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my eggplant flowers falling off?
Cool nights, extreme heat, or dry soil. Eggplant wants the same weather window as peppers, only more so.