Aubergines like to thrive in sunny, warm locations. We explain what needs to be considered when growing and planting aubergines.
The aubergine (Solanum melongena) is a nightshade plant (Solanaceae) that needs warmth, but is now being used more and more often in the garden and in the garden due to its diverse use and thanks to robust and tolerant aubergine varieties Grown in pots on the terrace and balcony. We reveal tips and tricks on how to be successful in cultivating aubergines.
Planting aubergines: the right location
In order to grow high-yielding aubergines, the space must first be right. The optimal location for the aubergine plant is generally on permeable, medium-heavy and nutrient-rich soil with a good water supply in full sun. In the following you will find out what you should pay special attention to when planting in greenhouses, outdoors, pots and raised beds.
Planting eggplants outdoors or in a greenhouse?
Basically, you can cultivate aubergines in a greenhouse or outdoors. The choice of variety and the weather are decisive for success.
Only varieties that are tolerant of cooler weather, rainfall and certain pathogens such as late blight (Phytophthora infestans) should be selected for outdoor use. For aubergines outdoors, it is advisable to use a black mulch film to start with so that the plant has a warmer environment.
More heat-requiring and sensitive varieties are better only cultivated in the greenhouse in order to obtain a satisfactory yield and he althy plants.
Planting aubergines in pots
Aubergine plants are also suitable for cultivation in pots, on the balcony or terrace. A sufficiently large bucket with good drainage and at least 10 liters of soil is important for successful rearing. For sprawling, tall varieties, the planter should be about 20 liters. A larger pot does not make it easieronly watering in summer, as more moisture is stored in the soil, but also the supply of nutrients, which is essential for the aubergines, which consume a lot. A sheltered, sunny spot on a south-facing wall is ideal for the plant to benefit from thermal radiation.
Aubergines in the raised bed
In order to grow aubergines in raised beds, you should use rather small varieties that also feel good outdoors. The plants should also be supported on the raised bed, because a summer storm can easily topple the aubergines or cause shoots to break off with the storm.
Cultivation: sowing eggplants
Aubergines can easily be grown from seed. Since the nightshade family takes a long time to develop, the aubergine seeds are sown from the end of January to the beginning of March. To do this, fill a suitable growing container with a nutrient-poor potting soil, such as our Plantura organic herb and seed soil. The peat-free substrate, improved with perlite and coconut fibre, stores moisture and promotes rooting of the seedlings.
Compact the potting soil slightly and then sow the aubergine seeds on it. The sowing depth for aubergines is about 1 to 2 cm. So substrate is then added over the seeds up to this height. Then it is watered extensively but carefully and the seed tray placed on a warm, sunny window sill. Covering with cling film or a small, clear plastic hood increases the humidity and makes it easier for the aubergines to germinate. At 20 to 25 °C the first seedlings can be seen after 7 to 21 days.
As soon as the seeds germinate and the first real leaves appear after the cotyledons, you can prick out the aubergine plants and transfer them to a nutrient-rich substrate. It is best to use pots that are at least 9 cm in diameter, as the young plants will spend some time there. Eggplant seedlings should continue to be warm and sunny at a minimum of 16-18°C until planting and slowly hardened off outdoors from mid-April.
Plant aubergines
From the beginning of May, the young aubergine plant can go into the greenhouse. Before planting aubergines outdoors or in pots for balconies and terraces, you should wait for the ice saints in mid-May. eggplantslove a nutrient-rich soil. It is therefore best to incorporate mature compost or a long-term fertilizer such as our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer before planting out. The predominantly organic, animal-free fertilizer granules provide your aubergines with essential nutrients for the first few months after planting, thus promoting he althy growth and plentiful flowering.
Dig a sufficiently deep planting hole or fill your planter with nutrient-rich potting soil such as our Plantura organic tomato and vegetable soil. The substrate, which is sustainably produced in Germany, cannot be used for pot culture, but can also be used to improve garden soil that is too heavy, light or poor and to fill raised beds. Now carefully free the young aubergine plant from its pot and place it in the planting hole. Unlike tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), eggplants are not planted lower than they were in their previous planter. Fill up with soil and press it down lightly around the plant. Finally, a support rod is inserted and watered vigorously.
Planting distance for aubergines
Plant the young aubergine plants 60 to 100 cm apart. The optimal planting distance for aubergines depends heavily on the vigor of the selected variety. When planting aubergines in containers, each plant should have its own container.
Do aubergines need a climbing aid?
Like their relatives, the tomatoes, aubergines also need a climbing aid, as the plants can grow up to 150 cm high and almost as wide. The fruits are sometimes very heavy and weigh more than 1 kg. A support keeps plants upright and prevents injury from tearing off or buckling heavy eggplants. Even small varieties with low fruit weight and aubergines in pots should be supported so that neither fruit nor leaves are on the ground. Sticks of bamboo or hazel are just as suitable as stringing them up with strings made of sisal, jute and the like. Tips and detailed instructions for supporting aubergines can be found in our special article on tying tomatoes.
At a glance: growing and planting aubergines
- Sow from late January to early March on a warm, sunny windowsill; sowing depth 1 - 2 cm at 20 - 25 °C; Germination after 7 - 21 days.
- Prick out in nutrient-rich potting soil from the first true leaves.
- Harden off the aubergine seedlings outdoors from mid-April.
- FromAt the beginning of May, planting the aubergine in the greenhouse; from mid-May outdoors and in tubs for balconies and terraces; Planting distance 60 - 100 cm depending on the vigor of the variety.
- Insert mature compost or predominantly organic long-term fertilizer when planting.
- Install a stake or string to support the plants.
- Use black mulch film at the beginning for faster heating outdoors.
Mixed culture: good neighbors for aubergines
The aubergine should not be combined with rampant vegetables, as they grow slowly in the initial phase and are not very competitive. You should therefore not plant aubergines next to courgettes (Cucurbita pepovar. pepo convar. giromontiina), nor combine the eggplant with pumpkins (Cucurbita). In a mixed culture with aubergines, close relatives in the immediate vicinity should also be avoided in order not to spread diseases and pests. You should therefore neither plant aubergines and peppers (Capsicum annuum), nor aubergines and tomatoes together.
Good neighbors for aubergines are:
- Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)
- Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)
- Head cabbage (Brassica oleraceae convar. capitata)
- Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata)
- Sliced Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa)
- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
After cultivating aubergines, there should be a break in cultivation of about four years. During this time, no other nightshade plants should be planted in the same location.
After planting and care, you can look forward to the first ripe aubergine fruits in summer. You can find out from us what is important when harvesting and storing the eggplant.