Eggplant or Aubergine

The Seed Savers Exchange - Known for excellent texture and flavor, this variety bears dark-purple eggplants with green-tinted flesh that are 9" long and 3" in diameter. The fruits are borne in clusters of four to six on 2'-tall plants, disease-resistant, and rarely bitter. Seed Savers Exchange collected the variety from Ukraine in 1993. 70 days from transplant. ±6,500 seeds/oz. Organic & Open-Pollinated Excellent texture and flavor, rarely bitter Disease resistant Fruits grow up to 9 inches long in clusters of 4-6 Dark purple skin and pale green flesh 70 days from transplant 50 Seeds per packet Instructions - Start eggplant indoors 6-9 weeks before the average last frost. Soak seeds first to encourage germination and then sow ¼" deep. Using bottom heat for a week to 10 days will help with sprouting. Transplant when the soil has warmed in a location that gets 8-10 hours of direct sun. If growing eggplant in raised beds or containers, keep the plants well-watered. Start Indoors: 8 weeks before the last frost Germinate for 14 Days Plant Outdoors: 18-24” Apart Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

The Seed Savers Exchange - This prolific eggplant was a standard market variety bred in Florida in the early 1900s for the commercial trade. Vigorous, upright, well-branched plants bear high-quality fruits continuously throughout the season, and their large purple-black pear-shaped eggplants are held high off the ground. Disease- and drought-resistant. 75-85 days from transplant. ±6,700 seeds/oz. Well-branched plants bear fruit high off the ground Pear-shaped fruit with purple-black skin Disease and drought resistant 75-85 days from transplant 25 Seeds per packet Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Transplant outdoors once the danger of frost has passed and soil is warm. Using landscape fabric or black plastic can accelerate growth and productivity in cooler climates. Start Indoors: 8 weeks before the last frost Germinate for 14 Days Plant Outdoors: 18-24” Apart Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

High Mowing Organic Seeds - Classic Italian eggplant with high yields. Blocky, nearly black bell-shaped fruits have a slight signature ribbing. Medium to thick skin is deep purple and glossy when mature. Compact plants benefit from staking to support heavy yields of large fruit. Characteristics: Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Productive  Classic shape 5-6" fruit  Heirloom  Instructions - Deep well-drained sandy loam with pH 6.5-6.8 is best. Eggplants are heavy feeders. Plants are sensitive to nitrogen; if over-fertilized, they will grow excessive foliage and produce less fruit. Use a high-phosphorous starter. Sow seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before the last frost date. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 85°F. Seeds can be sown thickly into flats and then planted into cell trays or containers after true leaves appear. Plant outdoors when daytime temperatures are at least 65°F and nighttime temperatures are above 50°F. Plastic mulch and floating row cover may be used to increase soil and air temperatures and ward off insects. Plant 1/4" deep  Plant Spacing: 18-24"  Row Spacing: 30-36" or 24" double rows on beds with 4-6' centers  Harvest & Storage - Harvest eggplants when the skin is glossy and a thumbprint will not leave an impression, if the seeds are brown fruit is over-ripe. Regular harvest increases the production of fruit. Store at 50-55ºF and 90% relative humidity. Will keep quality for up to one week.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Traditional Italian variety used for making eggplant relish or for fresh eating. Pear-shaped fruits (up to 8" long) are borne in abundance on purple-stemmed thornless plants. 90 days from transplant. ±6,000 seeds/oz. Organic Pear-shaped fruits grow up to 8 inches Purple stems Thornless 90 days from transplant 25 Seeds per packet Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Transplant outdoors once the danger of frost has passed and soil is warm. Using landscape fabric or black plastic can accelerate growth and productivity in cooler climates. Start Indoors: 8 weeks before the last frost Germinate for 14 Days Plant Outdoors: 18-24” Apart Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Attractive 6-12 in. light green, banana-shaped fruits. Spineless plants average 4 ft. tall. The skin is not bitter and is easily eaten when harvested young about 5-6" in length. This plant is very prolific so be rady to add support.  Certified Organic  Heirloom  Especially well-suited to the South-East  .25g, ~55 seeds Instructions - Start seeds 8-10 weeks before setting outside, and set out 1-2 weeks after your last frost-free date. Don’t rush the season because cold-shock can stunt the seedlings. Flowers may not set fruit during exceptionally hot weather. Mature plants have good vigor in fall, so cover plants on frosty nights for 1-2 weeks to extend the harvest season. Keep well picked to keep plants producing. Small fruits have the best eating quality. Fruits are ripe when the skin appears glossy and the fruit is resilient to thumb pressure. Space plants at 24" in equidistant spacing or 20" apart in rows 36" apart.  Avoid growing on soil that has previously grown tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, or especially eggplants for the past three years.  Days to maturity are from the transplant date    Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - From Thailand; long slender 12" fruits have tender light green skin that does not require peeling. Fine quality mild white flesh absorbs flavors well. Prolific and drought resistant. 70-80 days from transplant. Organic Slender fruits grow to 12 inches Tender, green skin Mild white flesh Drought resistant 70-80 days from transplant 50 Seeds per pack Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Transplant outdoors once the danger of frost has passed and soil is warm. Using landscape fabric or black plastic can accelerate growth and productivity in cooler climates. Start Indoors: 8 weeks before the last frost Germinate for 14 Days Plant Outdoors: 18-24” Apart Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability We are always adding new varieties so please check back often at Seeds - Vegetables (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

High Mowing Organic Seeds - Slender, petite eggplants fantastic for grilling. Dark purple skin is thin and tender. The flesh has a silky texture with few seeds and a mildly sweet flavor needing very little cooking time. Harvest when the fruit is young and glossy. Characteristics: Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Early  Productive  Great for containers  3-6" fruit  Instructions - Deep well-drained sandy loam with pH 6.5-6.8 is best. Eggplants are heavy feeders. Plants are sensitive to nitrogen; if over-fertilized, they will grow excessive foliage and produce less fruit. Use a high-phosphorous starter. Sow seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before the last frost date. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 85°F. Seeds can be sown thickly into flats and then planted into cell trays or containers after true leaves appear. Plant outdoors when daytime temperatures are at least 65°F and nighttime temperatures are above 50°F. Plastic mulch and floating row cover may be used to increase soil and air temperatures and ward off insects. Plant 1/4" deep  Plant Spacing: 18-24"  Row Spacing: 30-36" or 24" double rows on beds with 4-6' centers  Harvest & Storage - Harvest eggplants when the skin is glossy and a thumbprint will not leave an impression, if the seeds are brown fruit is over-ripe. Regular harvest increases the production of fruit. Store at 50-55ºF and 90% relative humidity. Will keep quality for up to one week.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability