Aubergines don't grow very well outdoors. It is therefore advisable to prefer the aubergines.
The same applies to aubergines as to courgettes and tomatoes: if you want to harvest plenty, you have to prefer the heat-loving vegetables from the south, since the summers in our latitudes are often only moderately warm. In Mediterranean countries, planting eggplant seeds on the spot is quite enough. With us, on the other hand, you should start growing early if you want to harvest the purple vegetables in satisfactory quantities. After all, the summer season here is usually short.
When is the best time to prepare the vegetables?
Aubergines have a long germination period and also need a relatively long time to develop fruit after planting. If you want to speed up this process, you should start sowing at the end of January or beginning of February.
How to properly prepare eggplants
Step 1: Sow the eggplants
It is best to sow the aubergines in a propagator in small plant pots or bowls with potting soil. Then put a cover over the culture vessel or use transparent foil. It's even better if you use an indoor greenhouse:
Step 2: Take care of sowing
Place the seed pot in a bright place and keep the seeds evenly moist. Make sure that the temperature is constant at 25°C during germination. It is also important that you air the foil every other day. Once the seed has sprouted, you can remove it completely. About 20 days later, when the first true leaves sprout after the cotyledons, it's time to transplant the plants into larger individual pots.
Step 3: plant the eggplants
You can only plant the aubergines outdoors in slightly acidic to neutral soil about 50 cm apart in mid-May after the ice saints, when the outside temperatures are constant and there is no longer a threat of frost. A very sunny place where the aubergines get plenty of warmth and light is an advantage. It is also advisable to put some rotted manure or horn shavings and compost in the planting hole beforehand. In this way, the aubergines are best served right from the startnutrients supplied. Plant stakes also protect against falling over during growth. If you take good care of your eggplants, you will be rewarded with a bounty afterwards.