The Aubergine belongs to the same family as the tomato and potato, being the least hardy of the three.
Although treated as a vegetable the aubergine is classed as a fruit. There are many different
coloured fruit varieties available, purple being the most common.
Aubergines do not tolerate sudden drops in temperature, so growing under glass would be
advisable. A cloudy cool summer can produce poor crops if the plants are grown outside. Being
a compact plant they ideal for even the smallest glasshouse.
These plants require fertile well drained soil, so prepare a bed with well rotted mature or
compost about a month before planting them.
The seeds can be sown in April, but will not germinate unless the temperature is
above 18ºC. Sow seeds 2.5cm apart in a tray of compost, germination should
happen within 3 weeks.
As soon as the the primary leaves have formed, prick out the seedlings and plant into 7.5cm pots.
These seedlings are then able to tolerate temperatures of above 10ºC . Keep them well
watered and when the roots fill the pots plant in the glasshouse border 60 cms apart.
Pinch out the growing points when they reach about 15cm, this encourages the plant to grow
side shoots on which the self pollinating flowers will form.
Although many fruits will form it is a good idea to let only four grow per plant.
The aubergines are ready for picking when they reach about 15cms long. You can test for
readiness by pressing the fruit with your thumb, if the indentation remains the swelling has
stopped and the fruit is ready for harvesting.
