growing eggplant in pots

Container Grown Eggplant Eggplants in pots are as easy to grow as tomatoes in pots. They need large enough containers to support the roots of such a heavy plant, a well draining medium, extra food and consistent water and, of course, the right container.

Do Eggplants grow well in containers?

Even if you garden in a small garden bed, or grow your vegetables in containers on the patio or balcony, you can grow eggplant. ... Plant one eggplant per container, 2-gallon minimum. Fill the container with a high quality potting soil that will drain quickly.

How long does it take to grow an eggplant?

Harvest eggplant 65 to 80 days after transplanting, depending on the variety. When starting from seed, expect 100 to 120 days to maturity. July, August, and September (even into October) are all harvest months for eggplant, depending on where you live and the variety you planted. Don't wait too long to harvest!

Do eggplant plants need a lot of sun?

Eggplants are sun lovers. Make sure they get at least six hours of unobstructed sun per day—the more sun the better. Also, eggplant, like tomatoes, are heat lovers.

Can you grow eggplant in a 5 gallon bucket?

Eggplant

You can place a single plant in a 5 gallon bucket, and this should give it enough space and sufficient nutrients, as long as you feed and water well over the summer months. As with tomatoes, it is a good idea to provide supports for your plants as fruits form and begin to grow.

What should you not plant next to eggplant?

Eggplant – A good companion for amaranth, beans, marigolds, peas, peppers, spinach, and thyme. Do not plant eggplants near fennel. Fennel – Not a companion for any garden food plant, fennel will actually inhibit growth in bush beans, kohlrabi, tomatoes, and others.

What is the best fertilizer for eggplant?

Start by working lots of compost into the soil, plus 2 to 3 pounds of a complete fertilizer like 15-5-10 per 100 sq. ft. If you prefer, use an organic fertilizer like blood meal, well-rotted manure, cottonseed meal, or bat guano. Burpee's Big Boy Tomato Food is also super for growing eggplants.

Do eggplants like coffee grounds?

Unused grounds are very acidic. Only use fresh grounds on acid loving plants and even then, do so sparingly. ... Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, magnesium, and potassium, and work as a great fertilizer.

Do eggplants grow back every year?

Eggplant is a frost tender, heat loving, branching bushy plant with thick, woody stems. ... Mature plants range from 1 to 8 feet in height. Although eggplant is a perennial, it is more commonly grown as an annual.

What is the best way to grow eggplant?

Eggplants grow into tall, angular plants, so they should be spaced 24 to 36 inches apart. Improve planting holes by mixing in 2 inches of compost to help hold moisture and fertilizer in the soil. Set plants at the same depth at which they are growing in their containers, and water well before spreading mulch.

How many eggplants do you get per plant?

My experience has been that 2-4 eggplants per plant is more common with the classic varieties such as Black Beauty than 6-12 fruit. The smaller fruited Italian, Chinese, Indian, or Japanese varieties produce greater numbers, but maybe not more total weight.

Does eggplant need a lot of water?

In hot climates, young plants will need to be watered twice a week, to a depth of 12 inches. Eggplants do not like standing water, so mature plants should be watered deeply and infrequently. But do not allow the leaves to wilt during the day. ... As the plants grow and bear, they will need support.

Does eggplant need a trellis?

Yes, it's wise to create a support for eggplants. Staking eggplant keeps the fruit from touching the ground, which in turn, reduces the risk of disease and fosters fruit shape, especially for elongated eggplant varieties.

How many tomato plants can I put in a 5-gallon bucket?

ANSWER: Five-gallon buckets make convenient containers for growing tomatoes and allow you to grow up to six plants in a 10-foot space in your yard or on your balcony or patio. Tomato plants perform well in black buckets because the black soaks up heat, and tomatoes thrive in warm soil.

What grows well in 5-gallon buckets?

bucket, and how many of them can be grown in one:

Tomatoes – Cherry or bush tomatoes work best. Plant only 1 tomato per bucket. ...
Cucumbers – Plant 1 per bucket.
Melons – Plant 1 per bucket.
Squash – Plant 1 per bucket.
Eggplant – 1 per bucket.
Peppers – 2 per bucket.
Beans – Bush kinds work best. ...
Onions – Plant 4 per bucket.

Can I grow zucchini in a 5-gallon bucket?

Growing zucchini in a 5-gallon bucket is easy to do and a worthwhile container gardening hobby. It is a great way to grow squash in a container and also keep containers out of our landfills. ... 5-gallon buckets are more ideal for smaller plants, but still produce a good harvest even for larger plants give the right care.

What can I plant next to eggplant?

Additional Eggplant Companions

Peppers, both sweet and hot, make good companion plants, as they have the same growing needs and are susceptible to the same pests and diseases.
Tomatoes are often used as eggplant companions. ...
Potatoes and spinach are also said to make great companion plantings too.

Can Eggplant and Zucchini be planted together?

They grow well together under similar conditions. Both plants are prolific, requiring only a few plants to produce enough fruit for fresh use. Plant a few extra to preserve for later use or to share with the neighbors. Keep picking and these plants will produce a bounty of fruit throughout the entire season.

How far apart should you plant eggplant?

Space eggplants 18 inches apart, in rows 30 to 36 inches apart.

Is Epsom salt good for eggplant plants?

As the plants grow, they need an even moisture supply. ... When the first blossoms appear, spray the plants with a seaweed extract with one teaspoon of Epsom salts dissolved per gallon. The solution improves fruit set. Depending on the variety, fruit matures 60 to 100 days from transplanting.

Why is my eggplant not flowering?

When an eggplant plant is stressed, its blossoms will dry up and drop off without producing fruit. The most common reason a eggplant gets stressed is due to a lack of water. Your eggplant needs at least 2 inches (5 cm.) of water a week, more in very hot weather.