Eggplants, with their rich, earthy flavor and culinary versatility, have secured a beloved place in global food traditions. For gardeners seeking an abundant harvest, cultivating these prized vegetables can be rewarding. Enter the greenhouse – a controlled environment offering the perfect solution for eggplant enthusiasts. This comprehensive guide delves into growing eggplants in a greenhouse garden, exploring variety selection, planting, care, harvesting, and storage.
The Eggplant’s Journey – From Ancient Staple to Modern Favorite
Before delving into greenhouse cultivation, let’s appreciate the eggplant’s remarkable journey. Believed to have originated in ancient India, eggplants were initially small and bitter. Through centuries of selective breeding and improved cultivation techniques, larger varieties with a delightfully rich flavor emerged.
As eggplants spread across the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Asia, creative cooks transformed this humble vegetable into a star ingredient. Eggplants became integral to iconic dishes like moussaka, baba ghanoush, and Thai curries. Their versatility shines in everything from dips and stews to baked dishes and even desserts.
Today, eggplants grace tables worldwide, celebrated for their meaty texture, ability to absorb flavors, and impressive nutrient profile rich in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Growing eggplants in a greenhouse allows you to enjoy this global culinary gem year-round.
Choosing the Ideal Eggplant Variety
The first step begins with selecting the right variety suited for greenhouse cultivation. Several factors influence this decision:
Adaptability to Greenhouse Conditions
Some varieties thrive better in controlled environments. Look for those labeled “greenhouse” or “container” varieties like ‘Gretel’ or ‘Bambino.’
Growth Habit
Consider whether a compact, bushy plant or sprawling vine suits your available space. Compact varieties like ‘Gretel’ excel in limited areas, while trailing types like ‘Dancer’ require more room.
Yield Potential
Evaluate each variety’s typical yield to meet your desired harvest goals. Heavy producers like ‘Black Beauty’ and ‘Classic’ ensure an abundant crop for preserving.
Pest and Disease Resistance
Varieties with built-in resistance, such as ‘Epic’ (verticillium wilt resistant) and ‘Dusky’ (alternaria tolerant), can reduce maintenance needs.
Maturity Time
Early producers like ‘Millionaire’ allow swifter harvests, while extended bearers like ‘Dancer’ provide a longer season ideal for small-batch preserving.
Flavor Profile
Choose sweeter types like ‘Rosa Bianca’ or richer, complex flavors of ‘Fairy Tale’ based on culinary preferences.
Novelty Appeal
Embrace unique eggplant varieties like slender ‘Cosmos’ or vibrant ‘Grillers’ to jazz up your greenhouse and kitchen creations.
Popular greenhouse eggplant varieties include ‘Black Beauty,’ ‘Ichiban,’ ‘Clara,’ ‘Ghostbuster,’ and ‘Little Fingers’ – each offering unique shapes, colors and taste profiles to explore.
Preparing the Greenhouse Environment
Once you’ve selected your ideal variety, prepare the greenhouse for optimal eggplant growth:
Temperature
Eggplants thrive between 70-85°F (21-29°C) during the day and no lower than 65°F (18°C) at night. Use heaters, ventilation fans or evaporative coolers to regulate temperatures as needed.
Light
Provide at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Supplement with grow lights if needed, positioning them 6-12 inches from plants. Adjustable light stands allow you to raise lights as plants grow taller.
Humidity
Maintain 50-70% humidity. Use humidifiers, misting systems or wet soil between plant rows to increase moisture levels. Proper humidity prevents blossom drop and supports pollination.
Ventilation
Adequate air flow regulates temperature, humidity and prevents disease. Install oscillating fans, vents or windows for cross-ventilation. Fans also aid pollination when flowers are open.
Raised Beds
Construct raised beds 8-12 inches high for greenhouse eggplant cultivation. The raised height facilitates air pruning of roots and improves drainage. Cover beds with plastic mulch to warm soil before planting.
Planting and Nurturing Your Eggplants
With the greenhouse environment ready, it’s time to plant:
Seed Starting
Sow eggplant seeds 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost date, providing consistent bottom heat (70-90°F) until germination. Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days before transplanting to acclimate them to greenhouse conditions.
Spacing
Allow 18-24 inches between plants in rows 2-3 feet apart. Compact varieties can be spaced 18 inches apart, while larger vining types need 24+ inches. Stagger plantings every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest.
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated. Apply 1-2 inches of water per week when plants are small, increasing to 2-3 inches as fruits develop to prevent bitter, drought-stressed eggplants.
Fertilizing
Feed every 2-3 weeks with a balanced fertilizer formulated for fruiting crops, or fortify plants with nutrient-rich compost tea. Follow product instructions, as over-fertilizing can reduce yields.
Mulching
Apply 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch like straw, leaves or grass clippings around plants. Mulching preserves soil moisture, suppresses weeds and moderates soil temperatures as it decomposes.
Support
As plants grow, provide sturdy cages, stakes or trellises to support fruit weight and allow better air circulation. Strong supports prevent branches from breaking under the load.
Pruning
Remove suckers, side shoots and excess foliage to focus the plant’s energy on the main fruiting stems. Stop pruning once flowering begins to avoid removing pollinated blossoms.
Pollination
Though self-pollinating, gentle shaking of flowers or using small oscillating fans can increase cross-pollination and fruit set when blooms are open.
With diligent care, your eggplants will thrive, setting plump, glossy fruits for abundant harvests.
Pest and Disease Management
While greenhouses shelter plants from many outdoor pests, vigilance is still required:
Common Pests
- Aphids: Release lacewing, ladybug or other beneficial insects, or use insecticidal soaps/oils.
- Whiteflies: Employ sticky yellow traps, reflective mulches to deter eggs, or spray neem oil.
- Spider Mites: Increase humidity above 60%; apply neem, horticultural oils or hot pepper wax sprays.
- Flea Beetles: Use floating row covers until flowering; spray neem or pyrethrin formulas.
- Thrips: Hang sticky blue traps; apply neem oil, spinosad or Beauveria bassiana products.
Common Diseases
- Verticillium Wilt: Plant resistant varieties; remove and destroy all infected plants and soil.
- Powdery Mildew: Increase air circulation; apply neem oil, sulfur, potassium bicarbonate or biofungicides.
- Early/Late Blight: Destroy all infected plants; apply copper fungicides preventatively.
- Fusarium/Verticillium Wilts: Graft eggplants onto disease-resistant rootstocks.
An integrated approach combining cultural, biological and judicious biorational or chemical controls when needed is most effective for managing pests/diseases organically. Regular monitoring is key.
Harvesting and Storage
As fruits mature, it’s time to reap your greenhouse bounty:
Harvest Window
Start picking eggplants when they reach mature size for the variety, typically 6-9 inches long for classic types or 4-6 inches for slender Asian varieties. Harvest every 2-3 days for continual production.
Indicators of Peak Ripeness
- Glossy, taut skin
- Flesh is firm to gentle pressure
- Stem attachment is fresh green, not withered
- Fruit has achieved variety’s trademark coloring
Harvest Tools
Use sharp pruning shears or a knife to cut fruits, leaving a short 1-inch stem attached. Avoid pulling or twisting eggplants off the plant to prevent stem damage.
Handling
Immediately place harvested eggplants in shaded containers or baskets lined with towels. Refrigerate promptly after picking to preserve quality and prevent moisture loss.
Short-Term Storage
For best flavor, refrigerate fresh eggplants in perforated or vented plastic bags for 5-7 days at 50-54°F and 90% relative humidity.
Longer Storage
For extended 2+ week storage, cure eggplants by holding them at 85-90°F for 4-6 days to allow skins to toughen slightly. Then store cured fruits at 50-54°F and 85-90% humidity. Avoid chilling injury by keeping eggplants above 50°F.
Processing Surplus
Preserve excess eggplants through freezing, dehydrating or pickling. Blanch or grill eggplant slices before freezing to prevent browning. Dehydrated eggplant chips make tasty snacks or soup garnishes. Quick pickled eggplant is a tangy treat.
With proper handling, storage and preservation, you can savor fresh greenhouse eggplant flavor for months!
Troubleshooting Challenges
Despite your best efforts, issues may arise when growing eggplants in the greenhouse:
Blossom Drop
Caused by temperature extremes, drought stress, low light, excessive nitrogen or lack of pollination. Ensuring consistent warmth, moisture and gentle stirring of plants can encourage better pollen transfer.
Misshapen/Scarred Fruits
Often results from uneven watering, calcium/boron deficiencies or exposure to irregular temperature fluctuations or growth hormone-disrupting chemicals. Maintain consistent soil moisture and nutrients.
Yellow Leaves
Signs of nitrogen, magnesium, iron or manganese deficiencies. Amend soil with balanced fertilizers or foliar feed chelated supplements. Prevent by using soil test recommendations.
Bitterness
Immature or overripe fruits, especially when exposed to cool temps below 50°F, can develop bitterness from stress-induced solanine production. Harvest at peak ripeness and avoid chilling injury.
Sunscald
Intense greenhouse sun can cause whitish “tan lines” or darkened sunken areas on fruit skins. Use shade cloths as needed and ensure fruits don’t directly contact plastic mulches.
With diligent monitoring and timely adjustments, most issues can be resolved for healthy, productive greenhouse eggplant crops.
Eggplant Recipe Inspirations
With a prolific greenhouse harvest, get creative incorporating eggplants into your culinary repertoire! These versatile fruits (botanically speaking) shine in Mediterranean classics like moussaka, caponata and baba ghanoush. In Italy, eggplants star in eggplant parmigiana, pasta alla norma and grilled vegetable stacks. Across the Middle East, they’re key in dishes like shakshuka, lutenitsa dip and Persian kashke bademjan.
For heartier fare, stuff eggplant halves with curried lentils or spicy meat fillings. Roast, grill or smoke eggplants then purée into rich, smoky baba ghanoush or creamy kashk e bademjan dips. Embrace Asian flavors with Thai curries, Vietnamese nuoc cham dipping sauce or Japanese nasu dengaku miso-glazed eggplant. Air-fried breaded slices deliver guilt-free eggplant “fries.” Even desserts get an eggplant makeover – from classic Turkish imam bayildi to decadent chocolate bakes.
Let your bountiful greenhouse harvest inspire new eggplant culinary adventures! Explore global flavors while savoring peak freshness.
Celebrating the Bounty of Your Eggplant Harvest
With patience, care and this guide’s wisdom, your greenhouse will soon teem with lush, prolific eggplant plants producing Heavy yields.
Relish vibrant ratatouilles, velvety baba ghanoush, or classic eggplant parmesan using your homegrown treasures. Branch out with Thai curries, savory dips like lutenitsa and even unexpected baked goods like moist eggplant brownies!
Preserve your bounty through freezing, dehydrating or canning to enjoy that just-picked flavor year-round in everything from oven-roasted slices to caponata antipasto.
Incorporate eggplants into your repertoire, savoring each bite’s journey from tiny seedling to glossy fruit plucked at perfection. Greenhouse gardening rewards you with ultra-fresh, bountiful produce – a delicious testament to your nurturing dedication.
Embrace this satisfying pastime, marveling at your thriving eggplant crop and reveling in the diverse flavors derived through your own hands. Your greenhouse eggplant adventure promises a truly fruitful experience to be relished!
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Eggplants in a Greenhouse Garden
What eggplant varieties are best for greenhouse growing?
Popular greenhouse eggplant varieties include ‘Black Beauty,’ ‘Gretel,’ ‘Ghostbuster,’ ‘Millionaire,’ and ‘Rosa Bianca’ due to their compact size, high yields, and disease resistance.
How much sun do greenhouse eggplants need?
Eggplants thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Supplement with grow lights if natural lighting is insufficient.
What temperature is ideal for growing eggplants in a greenhouse?
The optimal day temperature range is 70-85°F. Night temperatures should not drop below 65°F for best eggplant growth and fruit production.
When should I start eggplant seeds for greenhouse planting?
Sow eggplant seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. This allows seedlings time to reach transplant size.
How often should I water greenhouse-grown eggplants?
Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated. Apply 1-2 inches of water weekly for younger plants, increasing to 2-3 inches as fruiting increases.
What are common pests for greenhouse eggplants?
Key greenhouse eggplant pests include aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, flea beetles and thrips. Use an integrated pest management approach.
Why are my eggplant fruits bitter?
Bitterness often results from stresses like drought, temperature extremes, or overmaturity. Harvest promptly and provide consistent water and conditions.
How can I prevent diseases on my greenhouse eggplants?
Ensure adequate spacing, air flow, and humidity control. Remove/destroy infected plants promptly. Apply approved fungicides as preventatives.
When do I need to start supporting my eggplants?
Provide support via stakes, cages or trellises once eggplant plants reach 12-18 inches tall to prevent branches breaking from heavy fruit.
How do I know when to harvest greenhouse eggplants?
Harvest eggplants when they reach mature size for variety (typically 6-9″ long), with glossy, taut skins and green capped stems.
