Eggplants are just being hardened off here.
Planted Violetta di Napoli out in pots , but they are struggling with the heat.

"Struggling with the heat" is definitely not a problem anything is having here... struggling to keep warm is more like it!

I think I might put my eggplant in pots this year too; if nothing else that would let me put them into the greenhouse at the end of the season and they would have a longer time to produce some fruit.

Right now my eggplants are in ground struggling with the cold weather!!

Sandy,
Just remember, eggplants are HEAVY feeders, so, if you grow them in pots, you'll need to feed them very regularly. Also, their roots don't go very deep, so plan on staking or caging them. They can get top heavy loaded with fruits, and easily begin to tip over.

I have grown eggplants in pots and as long as the pots are big enough they do really, really well in pots.

As Linda said make sure they get plenty of water and fertilizer.

I ordered some eggplant seed yesterday. Called Slim Jim and I got it at Pinetree Gardens. They raved about how early and productive it is.

https://www.superseeds.com/col...

It is very productive Rita. Grows like bunches of grapes. Too small for my use, but you do get oodles of them.

farmerdill said:It is very productive Rita. Grows like bunches of grapes. Too small for my use, but you do get oodles of them.

• Eggplant (Solanum melongena 'Slim Jim')
• Uploaded by farmerdill

Excellent!! Not too small for me in fact just a great size. I love the smaller eggplants.

Now I have seed for Fairy Tale and Slim Jim. I should be set for eggplant next season. Of course I have to actually grow them from seed.

My eggplants in my garden right now are struggling wanting more heat. It has been rather chilly!!

The color of those "Slim Jims" is certainly beautiful!

Rita (or anyone else, for that matter), do you have any good eggplant recipes? I seem to be limited to eggplant parmesan and a casserole with onions, peppers and mozzarella cheese...

No, I am not a great cook but I do like eggplant.

I'm growing Ping Tung Long (again) and Thai Long Green (first time). When I have extra eggplant, I grill/smoke them and freeze the pulp, then finish them off with some seasoning and yogurt for a smoked eggplant dip. Best thing ever, and a great way to preserve the harvest.

My poor eggplants have really been struggling this spring. Of course eggplants like heat and we haven't had much of that. Today is another day in the 50's here.

According to weather Underground the low temp last night was 51. No wonder the eggplants look ratty. Really, 51 on early June? Not normal.

Poor plants are trying to shrink instead of growing bigger.

Supposed to warm up to the 70's by the weekend so that might make them happier.

Peas love, love, love this weather but not eggplant.

Newyorkrita said:My poor eggplants have really been struggling this spring. Of course eggplants like heat and we haven't had much of that. Today is another day in the 50's here.

According to weather Underground the low temp last night was 51. No wonder the eggplants look ratty. Really, 51 on early June? Not normal.

Poor plants are trying to shrink instead of growing bigger.

Supposed to warm up to the 70's by the weekend so that might make them happier.


Peas love, love, love this weather but not eggplant.

Poor Rita--I know how challenging it can be when the weather doesn't cooperate! Be patient--it will happen

It has been mainly a very cool spring. The best for the pea plants they just look awesome this year. But the poor eggplants look terrible. Worst spring for getting eggplants growing.

Eggplants are in. Trial variety this year is Shikou. Vigorous and a perfect size. Also the first one in. At this point I would rate it an A. Have to see how it holds tho.

Beautiful eggplants, Farmerdill!

farmerdill said:Eggplants are in. Trial variety this year is Shikou. Vigorous and a perfect size. Also the first one in. At this point I would rate it an A. Have to see how it holds tho.

Those are lovely eggplants!!

My eggplants are still small plants that have not much been growing.

I have three Black Beauty seedlings yet to go into the raised beds...last year's accidental experiment proved I'm not too late...Also, I'll probably get a much better harvest with them growing into the cool of the fall. They take off like a bullet, soon as the weather gets crisp.

That is certainly a gorgeous eggplant, Farmerdill! Nice edible yard art!

My eggplants are out and in containers.
The Brazilian Orange one has tiny white flowers and small green fruit forming.

CarolineScott said:My eggplants are out and in containers.
The Brazilian Orange one has tiny white flowers and small green fruit forming.

Flowers already!!

You sure are ahead of me!! Mine have been planted out in ground but litterally not growing or doing anything. Looking pretty darn ragged actually. Now with the warmer weather maybe they will perk up.