General
The aubergine has been grown in its country of origin, India, for over 3,000 years. In many growing regions the climate is tropical, and there the plant is perennial. In our temperate climate, we grow it as an annual.
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Facts and figures
Times
OutdoorsTransplant to bed from Mid May to Late June. Pre-grow about 80 days before planting out, approximately between Late February and Early April. Harvest begins around Early August and continues until Late October.
GreenhouseTransplant to bed from Mid April to Late June. Pre-grow about 80 days before planting out, approximately between Late January and Early April. Harvest begins around Early August and continues until Late October.
Location and soil
The aubergine likes it warm — even warmer than peppers. Below 15 degrees Celsius it really doesn't want to grow any more. That's why it's happier in a greenhouse, unless you live in a particularly mild wine-growing region. A large pot with generous fertiliser on a sunny terrace also works well. The paving and house walls store the warmth of the sun.
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Crop rotation
The recommendation is to wait at least 4 years before growing aubergines and other nightshades like tomatoes or peppers in the same bed again. In a greenhouse this can be tricky, since these are exactly the plants you tend to grow under glass — and space there is usually quite limited.
Varieties
There are many varieties that differ in shape, colour and size. The older English name "egg plant" comes from egg-shaped, white-fruited varieties that at first glance you'd hardly recognise as aubergines, since over here we mainly see the typical dark violet fruits.