What Do Eggplants Need During Growth?

Light

• Eggplants need much sunshine for vigorous, healthy growth. At least eight hours of direct sunlight daily ensures ample photosynthesis. Without photosynthesis, growth rates slow or halt. Food made in the leaves is needed to form new stem, flowers and causes the dark-purple fruit development. Insufficient sunlight exposure also limits flower production. Without flowers, fruits won't form.

Warmth

• Closely tied to sunlight needs is the eggplant's requirement for warmth. Killed by frost and intolerant of chilly conditions, plentiful sunshine helps warm the air and soil to a level best for eggplant growth. Eggplant is more cold sensitive than tomatoes, and the soil should be no colder than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Lots of ambient heat hastens the plant’s vigor. Plant eggplant seedlings outdoors in the garden two to four weeks after the last frost date in your region. In some regions, gardeners place black plastic atop the soil hastening the soil warm-up in spring.

Soil Characteristics

• Eggplants need a warm, moist, well-draining soil. Near-neutral soils are best, in the pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. This plant grows in sand, loam or clay, but the soil must be crumbly in texture and fertile. Gardeners incorporate lots of organic matter into the soil before planting eggplants. Organic matter improves the porosity of clay soils, and sandy soil’s fertility and moisture retention. The key to healthy eggplants is an evenly moist soil that remains warm that never becomes bone-dry or soggy. Overly wet soil suffocates roots, and chilly soil coupled with wet soil quickly kills the eggplant.

Fertilization

• Conduct a soil test on your garden’s soil, using the resources available at your county cooperative extension office. Knowing the nutritional make-up of your soil helps you decide which soil amendment or fertilizer formulations are best for your eggplants. A well-balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, is adequate. Follow label directions for dosage rates and apply it once a month during the warm growing months of the year. Apply other fertilizers only if needed based on results of the soil test. If you soil is already supplying ample amounts of iron and potassium, for example, using special fertilizers is wasteful and a drain on your budget.