Black Beauty Eggplant, Organic

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