EGGPLANT SOWING AND PLANTING TIPS Grow eggplant from seeds or seedlings. Eggplants are commonly started indoors in a greenhouse or warm, well-lit sunroom or kitchen. Sow eggplants in individual pots of light potting mix 1 to 3 weeks before you intend to set plants out. Do not set eggplants outdoors until the night time temperature is consistently greater than 55F (13C)?unless you plan to protect the plants from chill under a plastic tunnel or spun poly row cover. Sow 3 or 4 seeds to a pot or sow seed across flats; then clip away the weaker seedlings once the strongest seedling is about 2 inches (5 cm) tall. Sow seed OE to oe inch (7-13 mm) deep. Germination soil temperature is 70-95F (20-35C); the optimum soil temperature for germinating seed is 86F (30C). Germination takes 10 to 25 days at 86F (30C) or warmer. Keep seed starting mix just moist until seedlings are well-established. Eggplant seed can be sown directly in the garden if the soil temperature is warm enough?and there are enough days in the season for plants to reach maturity. Seedlings started indoors should be kept under grow lights or in a sunny window after germination. Keep indoor nighttime temperature above 62F (17C). Fertilize with fish emulsion or a soluble complete fertilizer at half strength. Transfer seedlings to a larger container once they are 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) tall; be sure that seedlings have sufficient room for root growth in the new container; this process is called ?potting up?; continue to pot up seedlings as they outgrow containers?until they are transplanted into the garden or a very large container. Eggplants can be transplanted to the garden after they are at least 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) tall. Set plants 24 inches (60 cm) apart in rows at least 24 inches apart. Add aged compost to planting beds in advance of transplanting. Eggplants prefer a pH range of 5.5 to 6.8. Grow eggplants in full sun for best yield. If you plant seedlings started by another grower, select plants 6 to 8 weeks old; usually in a 4-inch (10 cm) pot. Check the bottom of the pot to be sure roots are not growing through and the plant is not root-bound. Avoid planting eggplants where tomatoes, potatoes, or peppers have grown recently. Fertilize with an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion at half strength. Protect early-season plants from cold weather under lightweight spun poly row covers supported by wire hoops or under a plastic tunnel. Cold nights will cause blossoms to drop producing bushy plants without fruit. Common pest enemies include aphids, Colorado potato beetles, cucumber beetles, flea beetles, tomato hornworms, and others. Common diseases include blossom end rot, bacterial spot, and soft rot. Fruit have a oblong shape,white, 30-35 long, and sarcocarp is tender and good at cooking.Making fruit is early maturing and dense,cold and heat resistant well, strong growth