interrogation : How do I know when my eggplant bush are ready to pick ? I ’m growing eggplants in my garden , and I want to ensure I harvest them at the right fourth dimension for the best flavour and grain because I ’ve beak some bitter ones in the past . Can you supply some guidance ? – Susan T.
Gardening Channel Replies : Harvesting eggplants at the right clip is substantive for enjoying their optimum taste and texture . They ’re gross and bitter if you await too long . Below are several indicator to help you set when your eggplants are ready for plunk . I ’d also like to point out that it ’s good to use a bent of pruners to harvest garden egg , because it ’s really easy to damage the plant if you attempt to just pluck one with your hand . They ’re on there pretty good .
1 . sentence to Harvest
In general , eggplanttakes around 65 to 80 days to harvest , depending on your garden geographical zone and the variety of eggplant . So keep the time period in thinker to experience when to start expecting them to be quick soon .
2 . Color and Size
One of the chief indicators of a right eggplant is its colour and size . Depending on the diverseness , mature mad apple can graze from dark purple to white or even striped . familiarise yourself with the specific coloration and size feature of your eggplant variety . Typically , adeep , glossy color indicates that the mad apple is ripe .
3 . Skin Texture and Firmness
Another sign of a mature eggplant is the texture and soundness of its skin . When gently pressed with your thumb , a advanced mad apple shouldyield more or less but then bounce back into shape . If the indentation remains , the aubergine may be overripe . Theskin should also be fluid and lustrous , without wrinkle or blemishes .
4 . Cap and Stem Appearance
Examine the cap and stalk of the eggplant for signs of maturity . A ripe Solanum melongena will have agreen , fresh - looking cap and root word that are costless of decayor damage .
5 . What seed await Like With Immature , Ripe and Overripe Eggplant
Although it is not a authoritative test , you may also check the seed exploitation inside the eggplant . reduce a little fruit from your plant and slice it receptive . If the seeds are small , white , and just seeable , the eggplant is still young . Brown , well - developed seed indicate an overripe eggplant . Ideally , the seeds should be more or less seeable but not in full developed . This will give you a better idea of your eggplant picking attainment , and let you adjust base on what you ’re fancy . I ’d wager the bitter ones you nibble in the past also had brown seeds !
To sum up the best time to pick your eggplants , keep track of the days , detect their color , size , tegument texture , steadiness , and the appearance of the cap , stem , and seeds . By hold these constituent in mind and familiarizing yourself with the specific characteristics of your eggplant form , you could ensure a successful and flavorful harvest home .
Learn More About Harvesting Eggplant
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/eggplant.html
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/eggplant/
