Eggplants are part of the Solanaceae family also called the nightshade family. They are usually deep purple in color, however they can also be a light purple, white and yellow.
Eggplants are used in Italian, Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. While usually grouped in with vegetables, eggplants are actually a fruit. Ready to grow some Eggplants? Eggplants are easy to grow in your Phoenix garden.
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Phoenix Gardening Questions
- When and how to plant eggplants.
- What grows well near eggplants and what doesn’t?
- How to care for eggplants
- Harvesting eggplant- When is the ideal time to pick eggplants?
Types of Eggplant
Black Beauty
This classic variety is a favorite among gardeners. Black Beauty eggplants have large, glossy, deep purple fruits. They’re perfect for grilling, roasting, or making your favorite eggplant parmesan.
How to Plant & Grow Eggplants in Phoenix
Eggplants are a warm-season vegetable and prefer to be planted when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees. The ideal time to transplant eggplants in Phoenix is in the month of March.
The plant takes on average 70-120 days to harvest. Plant about 2 feet apart to allow room for eggplant to grow.
Companion Plants for Eggplants
Eggplants grow well with green beans and peppers. Beans provide nitrogen in the soil and eggplants needs a lot of nitrogen for healthy growth.
How to Care For Eggplant
Light Requirements: Eggplants need full sun or about 6 hours of sun a day.
Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained sandy loam soil. Eggplants like neutral and slightly acidic pH. The soil pH range of 5- 6.5 is ideal.
Water Requirements: Eggplants like consistent moisture. If they get too dry they are more susceptible to insects.
When to Harvest Eggplants in Phoenix
Eggplants take on average 70-120 days from the day of planting until harvest day. In Phoenix this means eggplants would be ready to harvest in May and June.
At maturity eggplants have a spread up to 24 inches and a height maturity up to 4 feet. Fruit is about 3-5 inches.