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Solanum melongena

Eggplant

Common names: Aubergine

Eggplant

This description was machine-translated.

Description

The eggplant is a heat-loving relative of tomato and pepper and needs a protected sunny spot. It feels most comfortable in a greenhouse or pot. Varieties such as 'Black Beauty' produce dark violet fruits that you harvest young and shiny.

Care instructions

Start the seedlings at the end of February week 9 on the windowsill and transplant them only after the last frost mid May week 20. Water evenly and warm, never cold from above, and fertilize the heavy feeders every two weeks. Support the stems and remove the first side shoots for stronger fruit.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 6–6.88.0

Soil type

humus-rich, well-drained, nutrient-rich, loamy

LightFull sun
Hours of sunat least 8 h a day
HardinessFrost-sensitive
Crop rotationNightshades
Water needHigh

Feeding

Heavy feeder

Months

Apr–Aug

Propagation

Methods

  • From seed
  • Cuttings

Companion planting

Good neighbors

asparagus family (Asparagaceae)

particularly well established

Asparagus and tomato benefit from each other. The tomato keeps the asparagus beetle away, and the asparagus repels threadworms that harm the tomato.

For example AsparagusFunkieBluebellMuscariHyacinthAmerican Agave

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

mint family (Lamiaceae)

particularly well established

You will find that basil next to tomato and pepper improves taste and keeps whiteflies and aphids away.

For example LavenderThymeRosemarySageHyssopBohnenkraut and 30 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

borage family (Boraginaceae)

Borage attracts pollinators and is supposed to keep tomato pests away from the nightshade family.

For example BoragoCommon comfreyPhaceliaForget-me-notNatternkopfSwamp Forget-Me-Not and one more species in the catalogue

Source: organic greenhouse companion planting practice

Rather not

amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)

Onions slow down the growth of nightshade family plants next to potatoes and tomatoes; the classic crop-rotation rule also applies in the bed side by side.

For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue

Source: basic crop-rotation rule

daisy family (Asteraceae)

Sunflowers release substances into the soil that inhibit potato tuber growth, and they also compete for water and nutrients.

For example Tagetes patulaCalendulaSunflowerCommon coneflowerFall AsterIceberg lettuce and 56 more species in the catalogue

Source: basic crop-rotation rule

gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)

You should avoid planting potato and cucumber together because they share disease pathogens such as leaf and brown rot and stand in each other's way as strong feeders.

For example CucumberPumpkinCourgettepickling cucumberButternutHokkaido and 14 more species in the catalogue

Source: basic crop-rotation rule

Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.

Some of these explanations were machine-translated.

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Varieties

7 varieties
View all 7 varieties

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