If I had to wait until nighttime temperatures were a consistent 60°F, I wouldn't be able to set the plants out until late July. There were NO June nights that warm last year.gardenbean wrote:HI!, I am attempting to grow 6 eggplants this year-I have never grown this vegetable before so I am charing unknown ground.
So far, I still have them on my south windowsill and they are about 5 inches in height. I will not take them out of my home until the temps here reach at least 70 and no cooler than 60 at night.........
I just wanted to know if anyone has some helpful hints to pass along about growing these veggies, as I have read they are quite fussy!!
No, they don't like to be cold and they will really benefit from you taking a little extra effort while you are hardening them off. Tender critters, their leaves will also burn in too strong sunlight but their later garden location should be full-sun, I suppose. That's where I have always had them anyway.
I also find that green varieties are less likely to be bitter. Lighter-colored and whites seem mild as well. Of course, that mildness is why some people don't like eggplant. I think they are great at sopping up a good sauce in a casserole
!Be forewarned on this account: Colorado potato beetles love, love, love eggplant! . . . more than tomato or potato plants, they love eggplants.
Steve
