You can grow your own fruit throughout the year.Maintaining eggplants in the ground is pretty easy, even though it takes a bit of effort.All you have to do is stake your plants for support, maintain a few healthy fruits, and pinch off leaves that are showing signs of an illness 2 to four weeks before the first frost.
Step 1: Pinch the first set of flowers.
Pinch the buds the first time you see them.The buds meet the stem of the plant and you can pinch them with your fingers.It encourages your plant to put more energy into growing sturdy stalks and deep roots instead of producing new fruit right away.In a few weeks, new blossoms will appear, and your plant will be better able to support large, healthy fruits.
Step 2: Old leaves need to be removed from the lower part of the plant.
Higher-quality fruit can be encouraged by removing leaves from the lower parts of the plant.To cut leaves as close to the base of the stem as possible, pinch them from below the flowers using your hands or gardening shears.Light and air can move through the canopy of the plants.
Step 3: If you notice weeds in the area, pull them out as soon as possible.
While they are still getting established, weeds can easily beat slower-growing eggplants.Remove weeds as soon as you notice them growing.In addition to the leaves, be sure to get the roots of the weeds.It could regrowth if you just get the top of the plant.If you have a big problem with weeds, you could use an herbicide.Whether or not you plan on eating the fruits will affect the exact product you need.Ask for recommendations from your local garden store.
Step 4: Before the first frost, pinch all new blossoms.
Pinching new blossoms before the winter encourages the plant to grow existing fruit instead of new growth.You can cut the blossom with garden shears or manually pinch it off.The blossom needs to be pinched below the receptacle.It is better to pinch a bit more of the stem than to leave a part of it behind.
Step 5: To keep it a perennial, Prune to the lowest growth before the winter.
Before the first frost forms in the fall, you should peck your plant back to the lowest point of new growth.New growth should be green on the outside and inside.You have to harvest any remaining fruit.Pruning shears can be used to cut the growth on your plant above 2 inches.A light frost will kill the eggplant.Even though they are perennial, eggplants are usually grown as annuals.Over the course of a few years, leaving them in the garden over the winter may cause them to have a lower yield.In warm climates the plants need warm soil to grow.If you expect a hard freeze, you will need to move your plant indoors or into a greenhouse.
Step 6: Your plants should be staked before they reach 24 inches tall.
If you let the plant grow too large, it can overload it.You have to stake the stems before the fruits get large.You can use a single wooden stake between 4 to 6 feet tall, with a third of their length driven into the ground.Drive your stake into the soil about 1.5 inches away from the plant's base.If your plant leans toward the stake, stop and move it.This could be a sign that you hit an important root.Use garden twine or rubber ties to tie back the plant once it is in the ground.Leave a little slack so that the plant doesn't strain or break, and tie just below the branches and leaves.
Step 7: The leaves are thinner to reduce the risk of diseases.
To grow a healthier plant, thin out the leaves in the center of the plant with gardening shears.If you have a dense plant, you can cut the stalks from its base.If you only have a few main stalks, thin out the leaves individually using your fingers or gardening shears to cut them as close to the base of the stem as possible.The leaves in the center of the plant take a lot of energy to grow.They are more likely to get infections like powdery mildew.
Step 8: The spread of disease can be prevented by Disinfecting your tools.
Sanitizing your gardening tools can help keep your plant healthy by preventing the spread of pests and disease.To wipe down your shears, add 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and use a rag.They should be washed in clean water and dry.Use a clean rag to apply a coat of lubricating oil to the blades of your shears.It helps keep them functional and rust-free.If you notice that your shears are getting rusty, you may want to wash them with a wire brush.
Step 9: Remove leaves and blossoms that have pests on them.
It is important to check the plants regularly for signs of pests.If you see pests on a leaf or fruit, pinch it as close to the stem as possible.You can use garden shears or a gloved hand.Then apply a garden-safe pesticide.Plants can handle small damage from pests without losing crops.As a last resort, keep the plants well-fed, well watered, and in the proper soil conditions.
Step 10: Fruits should be maintained per plant for larger varieties.
A variety of eggplants that grow large, heavy fruits should have no more than 6 fruits per plant.Once you have half a dozen blossoms that are maturing nicely, pinch off any additional blossoms until your fruits are ready for harvest.You can pinch off the blossoms with a pair of shears.Remove the blossom from the stem.There is a limit on the number of fruits on each plant.Indian eggplants and little fingers can produce up to a dozen fruits per plant.