How to properly grow eggplants outdoors?

In the wild, the vegetable grew many centuries ago, but appeared in Russia only in the 17-18 centuries. The usefulness of eggplant was not immediately appreciated, but alertness soon gave way to great popularity. And not the least role in this was played by the product's ability to lower cholesterol levels, improve heart function and regulate water balance in the body. For successful cultivation in the open field, you must follow the rules of care - you need to love and care for the eggplant, grow seedlings under necessary conditions, add top dressing or cover it in frost.

Where can you grow eggplant outdoors

The conditions for growing eggplants are somewhat different from the cultivation of other vegetable crops. The main differences are as follows:

• yield is provided only on fertile soils with light structure;
• even short frosts are excluded after disembarkation;
• the minimum temperature at which the plant slows down development is +20 degrees;
• the length of daylight hours should be within 12 hours;
• the reaction to a lack of moisture is the dropping of buds and ovaries.

Growing in Siberia

It is unlikely that ordinary varieties that were cultivated exclusively in southern countries would have been possible to grow in the open field in Siberia.

Thanks to the many years of work of breeders, it was possible to breed quite a few hybrids that differ cold resistance and short ripening times and they can be grown not only in the Kuban.

In addition to resistance to temperature extremes, plants have strong immunity and give a good harvest.

Popular varieties include: Sailor, Nutcracker, Violet Miracle, Robin Hood.

In the Urals

In the presence of strict conditions, obtaining a harvest of blue in the Urals is considered a great success. For planting, varieties with a ripening period are selected no more than 95 days... But even this factor does not guarantee success, because the whole point is in agricultural technology. It should focus on accelerating growth.

Popular varieties are: Clorinda, Helios, Epic.

In the Moscow region

With the right selection of varieties and hybrids, you can plant eggplants on your garden plot and in the Moscow region. Many summer residents of the Moscow region have already been convinced of this.

Planting is carried out using the seedling method in the middle or end of Maywhen the threat of night frosts, which may be in spring, has passed. Among the popular varieties: Marathon runner, Kashalot, Balagur, Alekseevsky.

Timing for planting eggplant in open ground

Taking into account the climatic features of our country, eggplant cultivation in open beds is carried out in seedlings. Seeds need to be planted in boxes or containers in late March... By the time the seedlings are transferred to the open ground, 3-5 leaves have already formed, the stem and root system will get stronger.

You can plan to plant eggplant seedlings in open ground in the second half of May... Work can only be carried out if the night temperature is established not lower than 15 degrees.

The spring period is characterized by unstable weather, so it is better to cover the bed with a film. In the daytime, the protection can be removed if the temperature indicator exceeds +18 degrees.

Experienced gardeners do not advise to rush to planting seedlings, since at low temperatures it will not develop anyway, and in case of frost it will die altogether. But at the same time, it is also dangerous to overexpose seedlings in a greenhouse or other room.

The transplant must be performed before the budding period... If ovaries have already formed on young shoots, then the culture will be more difficult to adapt to new conditions, it will become vulnerable to any diseases.

Transplanting seedlings into the ground must be performed before the budding period

Landing rules

To get a good harvest, you must follow all the rules of agricultural technology. Planting a culture is considered one of the important stages.

The right choice of seeds and seedlings

Seeds go through a preparatory process before planting:

• disinfection (soaking for 25 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, followed by rinsing);
• processing with nutrients to stimulate growth (planting material is immersed in a solution for a day, which is prepared from 1 liter of water at 25-28 degrees and 1 teaspoon of nitrophoska);
• germination (seed moistening and keeping for 1-2 days in a humid environment at a temperature of 30 degrees).

Pre-planting preparation may include hardening the seeds. To do this, they are placed in a refrigerator for 2 days (a compartment for vegetables), then they are kept for a day at a temperature of 18 degrees, after which they are returned to a cold place for 2 days.

This procedure increases the plant's resistance to adverse weather conditions, diseases, and also increases the yield.

After reaching young shoots with a height of 10 cm and the formation of 5-7 leaves, it is planned to transplant into open ground. 10-14 days before this, the seedlings are hardened, that is, they are taken out into the open air every day (without direct sunlight and drafts) for several hours for adaptation.

Preparing the soil before planting in the hole

The place for the eggplant bed should be well lit

The place for the garden is chosen well lit, ideally, if it will be protected from the winds by neighboring shrubs.

Negatively such predecessors as potatoes, peppers, physalis, tomatoes affect the vegetation of eggplants. It is better to choose the area where they were grown: cabbage, cucumber, onion, perennial herbs.

Eggplants respond well to fertile soil with a light structure and a neutral environment. If soil acidification is present, before planting, you need to enter into it dolomite flour or crushed lime.

From fertilizers, both organic (rotted manure 3-4 kg per 1m2) and complex mineral substances (70 grams of superphosphate, 50 grams of potassium sulfate, 25 grams of ammonium nitrate) are used.You should not overdo it with nitrogen nutrition, you can provoke the growth of tops instead of forming ovaries.

The root system of the culture grows in loose soil. If necessary, the soil in the beds is lightened by entering into it peat, humus, river sand... All components or one of them are thoroughly mixed with the dug up soil and loosened well with a rake.

Landing

Seedlings are planted in the evening or in cloudy weather. The wells are arranged according to the scheme:

• spacing between plants in a row - 25-30 cm early varieties, 35-40 cm medium and late varieties;
• aisle - 55-70 cm.

The scheme is selected taking into account the size of the plants. Tall shoots should not be planted at short intervals. The thickening of the beds attracts pests, creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of harmful microorganisms.

Eggplant care during the summer

It is not easy for seedlings to take root in a new place, therefore, proper care must be provided from the first days.

Watering is carried out with settled heated water for about 1-2 times a week (before flowering), you need to focus on the degree of soil moisture. For 1 m2, the consumption rate is 10 l.

With the beginning of flowering and fruiting, irrigation is carried out at the root. If it is not possible to moisten the bed more often than 1 time a week, then the rate of water consumption should be increased.

Eggplants develop ideally at an average temperature of 23-26 degrees, so it is better to avoid freezing or overheating. For protection from the cold, it is recommended use film or agrotextile... In extreme heat, you need to build light shading so that the plants do not get burned or simply do not dry out.

Before flowering, watering is carried out with settled water 1-2 times a week

After reaching an escape of 30 cm, do pinch - remove the top of the bush. From the side shoots, 5-6 of the healthiest and strongest should be left, the rest are disposed of. Pickling is not carried out if the summer is very hot and dry.

It is recommended to carry out once a week loosening the soilto prevent clumping. This process is combined with weeding. Weeds create many problems with diseases, attract pests, so they should be dealt with in a timely manner.

How to feed after planting in the garden

Agrotechnology of eggplants provides for the repeated introduction of fertilizing into the soil.

During the growing season, they will need to be fed. at least 3 times... The first dose of nutrition is applied 20 days after planting the seedlings. You need to fertilize the second time in 3-4 weeks. The third time to feed the beds during the fruiting period.

Mineral dressing

For normal vegetation, the plant needs the following minerals:

• nitrogen - stimulates the growth of shoots (topical feeding at the initial stage of development);
• phosphorus - helps to strengthen the root system, the formation of ovaries and fruits (used at all stages);
• potassium - strengthens the immune system, stimulates growth, makes the culture resistant to temperature extremes and unfavorable weather conditions;
• boron, manganese, iron - increase the period of fruiting.

Among the popular fertilizers of this type: superphosphate, nitrophoska, ammonium sulfate, potassium nitrate.

Organic fertilizers

Manure, which is better rotted, is used for the first and second feeding. Not less nutritious are:

• bird droppings;
• compost.

Fresh manure is not recommended for feeding due to its high nitrogen content.

Rotten manure can be used for feeding

What folk remedies to add for growth

Among the popular recipes, there are many effective, time-tested. For example, mushroom infusionthat stimulates the growth of culture. To prepare a working solution, you will need to pour ½ cup of dried mushrooms with a bucket of warm water and leave to infuse for a day.

Ash liquid (1-2 glasses of wood ash per bucket of water) is also popular among gardeners.

And on a par with it, you can put and yeast feedingpromoting the growth of young shoots. To prepare the fertilizer, a kilogram pack of live yeast is used, which is poured into 5 liters of water at room temperature. A day later, the resulting liquid is diluted with water (1:10) and the plants are watered at the root.

Yeast feeding

For the preparation of fertilizers, various plants are used, the composition of which is rich in valuable trace elements necessary for the active development of eggplants and so that they are plump.

Among the famous recipes:

• Cup dandelions pour 2 liters of boiling water and cover with a lid, after 3-4 hours add 7 liters of water and use for feeding;
• pharmacy chamomile (1 glass) pour 1 liter of hot water, insist for a day, dilute with 9 liters of water;
• shredded eggshell pour a bucket of water and insist for 1-2 days, after which you can put the solution in the hole or water the plant.

Pests and the fight against them

When growing blue ones, it is worth taking into account the fact that the plant attracts many insects, including pests.

The most dangerous is considered Colorado beetle... When settling in the garden, after a few days, you can notice abundant bald spots, the gluttonous parasite literally gnaws at the shoots.

Treatment with the use of special chemicals or dusting with salt flour, wood ash, spraying with an infusion of wormwood will help to overcome the beetle.

Harmful crops can also be bugs and spider mites... For prevention, the beds are sprayed with infusions of onions or dandelions (with the addition of laundry soap). With the massive colonization of parasites, the following agents are used: Prestige, Zircon, Fitosporin, etc.

Harvesting and storage rules

The first thing that gardeners are guided by when determining the maturity of an eggplant is growing season:

• early varieties - 90-110 days;
• medium varieties - 115-130 days;
• late varieties - 130-140 days.

The ripening time can vary, which is influenced by several factors at the same time: agricultural technology, weather conditions, adherence to planting dates.

There are no obvious signs of ripeness in a vegetable besides the growing season, they are mainly taken into account fruit length... There are standards for each variety, and should be based on them. Color is not considered a featureas it takes on a normal tonality in the early stages of maturation.

Eggplant color is not considered a sign of maturity.

Determination of ripeness can be simple pressing on the eggplant... If the skin is bent, but quickly takes on its original form, the vegetable is ripe.

In order to increase the shelf life of eggplant, you need to select the healthiest specimens without signs of deformation and damage. You can put vegetables in boxes, shifting them with straw or parchment. The fruits are stored in a cool, dark place.

A capricious and sensitive vegetable with unique nutritional and taste qualities can be grown on your site if you follow the rules of agricultural technology. And with proper storage, keep part of the harvest for the New Year's table.

The handsome eggplant is a welcome guest on our table, but not all gardeners manage to make friends with him. Indeed, the process of growing this southern crop in the open field and in not too warm climates is fraught with some difficulties. However, with the right choice of the variety, as well as observing a number of important rules and conditions, you can get a good harvest of strong, tasty fruits.

Growing eggplants

Which types of eggplant are suitable for outdoor cultivation?

The choice of a particular variety of eggplant depends on personal preference, but for climatic conditions with a short, sometimes cool summer, experienced breeders recommend early maturing species with small fruits. The most popular varieties among domestic gardeners are Alekseevsky, Almaz, Epic F1 and Robin Hood.

Alekseevsky	Low bushes up to 70 cm, rather branched, with small rich purple fruits. The pulp is white in color, pleasant to the taste without any signs of bitterness.	One of the most productive varieties that feels great both in the greenhouse and in the open area.
Diamond	Plant height up to 60 cm, cylindrical fruits (weight 100-150 g), dark purple, flesh has a light green tint and does not taste bitter.	The bushes of this variety are very compact, so a lot of them can be placed in a small area. In addition, they are distinguished by high yields - up to 8 kg of fruits can be obtained from one square meter of planting.
Robin the Hood	Bushes 70-100 cm high, with spreading leaves and a lot of ovaries. Fruit weight - up to 300 g, pear-shaped, and the skin has a lilac hue. Suitable for all types of processing.	One of the most resistant varieties to unfavorable conditions, which takes root well in open areas.
Epic F1	Tall, powerful bushes (90-100 cm) with smooth glossy, dark purple fruits, each weighing about 200 g.	An early ripening hybrid that is especially recommended for outdoor cultivation. Resistant to temperature extremes and diseases, has a high yield.
Joker	The height of the plants reaches 100-130 cm, and about 70 fruits are formed on each of them. The fruits have an elliptical shape and an unusual, bright purple color, the flesh is white, with a pleasant taste.	An early maturing, resistant variety that feels great in summer cottages or backyard plots.
Negus	Small, compact bushes with small (150-300 g) fruits. The pulp has a light shade, pleasant taste, firmness and tenderness.	The variety belongs to the super early maturing high-yielding varieties, and the fruits are excellent for transportation and storage.

Instructions for growing eggplant outdoors

Eggplant - growing

Since eggplants are considered a rather capricious crop, when growing it, you must strictly adhere to a number of conditions and rules.

1. Plants like a short (no more than 12 hours), but quite bright daylight hours.
2. If the temperature often drops below 20 ° C, pollination of the peduncles and the growth of fruits may stop. Plants do not tolerate frost at all.
3. One of the most important conditions for a good harvest is fertile, fairly light soil, prepared in advance accordingly.
4. Eggplants are also demanding on humidity: with prolonged drought, the peduncles fall off, and the fruits are deformed.

Sowing, planting and caring for eggplants

Stage one. Garden bed preparation

The site for planting needs to be prepared in the fall - it should be located in a well-lit, sunny place without drafts. Ideal - light loam or sandy loam with good drainage, which at the same time retain moisture.

Soil: preparing for planting

If the soil has other characteristics, the situation can be corrected in the following ways:

• for loamy areas, for each square meter of land, you need to add two buckets of peat and one each of rotten sawdust and rotten manure;
• if the soil is too dense, with a predominance of clay, for each meter you need to add a bucket of rotten compost, half-rotted sawdust, sand with a coarse fraction and two buckets of peat;
• on the sandy beds, two buckets of clay soil, peat and compost are introduced, as well as a bucket of sawdust for each meter;
• peat soil is recommended to be "ennobled" with ordinary turf soil and compost (one bucket each).

Fertilizing the soil

Besides, for each square meter of land, the following fertilizers must be applied:

• a teaspoon of urea;
• potassium sulfate and superphosphate - a tablespoon;
• glass of wood ash.

After that, dig up the ground by about 30 cm and get rid of the weeds. In the spring, the site needs to be dug up again, and the remaining weeds must be pulled out, and the procedure is best carried out on damp ground after rain.

Digging the soil is an important stage of work

It is recommended to make the bed high enough, up to 30 cm, no more than a meter wide.

High bed

Another important point is that you cannot plant eggplants after peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco and physalis. But the best predecessors for culture are greens, peas, beans, root vegetables and cucumbers. In addition, the culture does not tolerate even minimal shading, so stunted plants should be planted next to them.

Crop rotation table

Stage two. Preparation for growing seedlings

For planting eggplant seeds, you can use special boxes or cassettes for seedlings, but since the sprouts of this culture do not tolerate picking well, it is better to take peat cups or separate containers.

Peat pots

It is better to prepare the soil for growing seedlings yourself by choosing one of the following options:

• compost, manure, turf soil (8: 1: 2);
• peat, sawdust (3: 1) with the addition of any purchased seedling mixture;
• compost, sod land, sand (3: 5: 1);
• compost, peat (2: 1).

In any case, the mixture must be mixed well until smooth and left for a couple of days.

Soil for eggplant seedlings

Stage three. Sowing seeds

It is better to calculate the timing for sowing seeds based on the characteristics of the variety according to the following formula: planting of seedlings is usually carried out in early June, and the age of the seedlings should be about 2 months. That is, the procedure should begin in February or early March. Only high-quality, properly stored seed is suitable for planting, since eggplant seeds quickly lose their germination. To get healthy, strong shoots, you must adhere to the following algorithm of actions.

Step 1	Before planting, the seeds must be germinated: for this they are soaked in warm water for a day, after which they are laid out on cotton pads (it is better not to use gauze so as not to damage the roots). You need to keep them warm for 6 days, maintaining the humidity of the cotton wool, and then choose those that have sprouted.	Preparing eggplant seeds for sowing
Step 2	On the eve of planting, the germinated seeds are disinfected by standing for half an hour in a solution of potassium permanganate or simply in a thermos with hot water.	Disinfection
Step 3	Fill the containers with soil about 3/4 without tamping it so that the seeds receive a sufficient amount of oxygen, then spill with water and leave for an hour. If planting is done in a box, the soil must be covered with a layer of 7-8 cm.	Backfill soil
Step 4	One seed is sown in peat cups or cassettes, and small grooves are made in the boxes and the seeds are planted at a distance of 5 m from each other. The crops should be covered with a small layer of soil, no more than 1 cm.	Sowing
Step 5	Cover the containers with glass or foil and put them in a warm place (the optimum temperature is 25 ° C).	Film covered container
Step 6	After the emergence of shoots (after 1-3 weeks), the shelter should be immediately removed, and the containers should be transferred to a cooler (about 18 ° C), but well-lit place.	We create favorable conditions
Step 7	After 5-6 days, the temperature again needs to be increased to about 20 ° C, and at this temperature, the seedlings should be grown until the very transplantation into the ground.	Seedling eggplant

Note: when using cassettes for sowing seeds, you should not plant seeds of different varieties in one tray, as they have different germination times.

Stage four. Seedling care

1. Caring for seedlings consists in regular watering, and with the growth of shoots, their need for moisture increases. The water temperature should not be lower than the room temperature. Rainwater is most suitable for irrigation, but if it is not available, you can use settled tap water. First, it is better to moisten the soil from a spray bottle or a small pear, so as not to flood the sprouts.

   Watering seedlings

2. After the appearance of two leaves, the seedlings should be fed with superphosphate (3 tbsp) with the addition of potassium sulfate (2 tsp) and ammonium nitrate (1 tsp), which are diluted in 10 liters of water.The next top dressing is in two weeks, with superphosphate (60-80 g) and potassium salt (25-30 g), diluted in 10 liters of water. Can be replaced with the drug "Kristalon" (20 g per 10 liters of water).

   Fertilizer Kristalon

3. Another important point is a sufficient amount of light. In March, eggplant sprouts most often have enough sunlight (you should put them in a place that is best lit), but if the month turned out to be cloudy and gloomy, you will have to use additional lighting. The seedlings are illuminated with fluorescent lamps, 12 hours a day, and the distance from the lamp to the shoot should be at least 50 cm.

   Supplementing seedlings

4. If it is impossible to do without picking, the plants are transplanted after the appearance of two leaves, very carefully, transferring them together with a lump of earth into the moistened soil. After about 10 days, the sprouts should be fed with phosphorus fertilizer (for example, "Crystalon Yellow" at the rate of a tablespoon per 10 liters of water).

Video - Diving eggplant

Stage five. Transplant to open ground

Seedlings ready for transplanting into open ground should be about 20 cm tall and have at least five strong leaves. The optimal time is the end of May or the beginning of June, when not only the threat of frost passes, but also sharp nighttime drops in temperature. In addition, the shoots must first be hardened by taking the containers outside for several hours for 2 weeks. The planting pattern is 25-30 cm between bushes and 45-50 cm between rows.

Planting scheme for eggplant seedlings

The process of transplanting shoots is as follows.

Step 1	Dig small holes in the ground, and water them abundantly (from 1 to 3 liters in each).
Step 2	Carefully transplant the shoot along with a lump of earth, being careful not to damage the root system, which is very tender in eggplants. Deepen the seedlings into the ground up to the first leaves.
Step 3	Cover the holes with dry earth, tamp and mulch with peat, or simply sprinkle with the same dry earth.

Eggplant planting holes

Photo of eggplant transplant

Planting eggplant in open ground

Stage six. Planting care

1. Immediately after transplanting, the seedlings should be watered every 2-3 days with warm water, and after the seedlings have taken root, watering can be reduced to once every 6-7 days, the fluid consumption is 10-12 liters per meter.
2. The soil is loosened at least 4-5 times during the summer period, and after loosening the bushes are spudded - this will significantly increase the future harvest.
3. During the season, it is recommended to carry out 3-5 dressings (the first - 2-3 weeks after transplanting), alternating complex mineral and organic fertilizers. As a mineral fertilizer, you can use "Solution" (25 g per 10 liters of water), and as an organic fertilizer - mullein infusion or the drug "Biud" (diluted in water in a ratio of 1:20).

   Fertilizer

   Biocompost

4. It is very important to remove weeds around the plants in time, destroy pests and make sure that there are no signs of diseases on the bushes.

Forming an eggplant bush

Subject to all the rules and appropriate care, planting eggplants in the open field gives an excellent harvest even in the domestic climate, which is considered not the most comfortable for this guest from the hot south.

Video - Eggplant in the open field

Many people fell in love with the unusual taste of eggplants, a wide selection of which is presented in vegetable stores. But every summer resident wants to feast on this representative of the nightshade from his own garden. However, eggplant growing and outdoor care have subtleties that are worth getting to know before starting work.

Eggplant varieties for open ground

Today, breeders have bred many varieties of various colors: the traditional blue, striped, red, orange and green varieties. Their taste is very similar, but for decorating a festive table, using a multi-colored palette is an excellent solution.

Vegetable growers opt for varieties that have established themselves as high-yielding and versatile for different agro-climatic cultivation zones.

Black handsome.

Popular high-yielding variety in hot summer areas. Among the advantages are: weight of 200 g, excellent taste without bitterness, resistance to diseases and suitability for long-term storage.

Diamond.

The variety, recognized by many gardeners for its delicate taste, has cylindrical fruits with a weight of 100-200 g and a maximum length of 20 cm. The vegetable is painted in a traditional purple color.

Albatross.

It is also a high-yielding variety whose blue-violet fruits have a pleasant-tasting pulp without a bitter aftertaste. The vegetable stands out for its shortened shape, reminiscent of a pear, and weighing 450 g.

Epic.

The hybrid, the early maturation of which makes it possible to cultivate it in different agrozones, also demonstrates a high level of productivity and resistance to a wide range of diseases.

Basic requirements for growing

Although the plant belongs to the Solanaceae family, the requirements for its cultivation are not the same as the rules for growing tomatoes, peppers and other representatives.

• Eggplants need more heat: lowering the temperature below 20 ° C leads to the cessation of pollination of plants and the development of fruits.
• Return frosts are detrimental to the culture.
• Deficiency of moisture provokes the fall of flowers and ovaries, and also causes the formation of ugly fruits.
• The plant requires bright, but short-term lighting - a maximum of 12 hours.
• Light and fertile soil is the key to a good harvest.

Compliance with organizational and economic measures - crop rotation - plays a significant role in obtaining the result: the cultivation of eggplants is allowed on the same bed with peppers and tomatoes, but not after them. Poor crop predecessors are all nightshades, other vegetables are considered acceptable predecessors. The best choices for eggplant are carrots, cucumbers, onions, early cabbage, and melons.

Growing seedlings at home

The heat-loving culture indicates that it is better to grow it through seedlings.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. With the help of a solution of potassium permanganate, disinfect the seeds, and then subject them to heat treatment by placing them in hot water at 50 ° C for a quarter of an hour.
2. Prepare a soil mixture from turf soil, humus and sand in a ratio of 5: 3: 1, and supplement it with a mineral supplement containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
3. Sow seeds in a container with prepared soil mixture.
4. Place the box before emergence in a room with a temperature of 25 ° C.
5. After the sprouts appear for a week, lower the temperature regime in the daytime to 16 ° C, and at night - to 13 ° C.
6. At the end of this period, grow seedlings at the following temperature values: in cloudy weather at 18 ° C, in sunny weather - at 28 ° C.
7. When the first pair of true leaves is formed, feed the seedlings with a solution of superphosphate, urea and potassium salt.
8. Repeat feeding after a two-week interval.
9. Two weeks before planting the seedlings in the garden, start hardening them by taking the box out into the street.
10. After the formation of a third pair of true leaves on the plants, plant them in open ground, if stable warm weather conditions are established.

Attention! Eggplant seedlings need systematic moistening in order to prevent the soil from drying out.

Planting eggplants in open ground

With the seedling method of cultivation, the grown seedlings are watered abundantly 24 hours before planting, then the procedure is repeated before removing the seedlings from the container.

Landing is carried out as follows:

• holes are prepared in the garden bed according to the scheme: between plants in a row - 40-50 cm, distance between rows - 70 cm;
• prepared planting pits are abundantly filled with water;
• seedlings are planted into the resulting mud mixture;
• the soil around the plant is compacted;
• dry soil or peat is poured on top as mulch.

In the non-seedling method, seeds prepared in the same way as for sowing in boxes are sown in open ground when the temperature of the surface layer reaches 15 ° C. At the initial stage, the tradition of vegetable growers to sow eggplant seeds along with radishes is associated with the slow growth rates of the culture. This allows you not to lose the rows of eggplants in the garden.

Immediately after sowing, it is better to install a structure of metal arcs with a film stretched over them over the eggplants. It is worthwhile to finally remove the protective film not earlier than mid-June, when the threat of return frosts has passed.

Advice! To maintain a fertile soil layer, during the spring digging of the site intended for the cultivation of eggplants, one tablespoon of urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfate should be added per 1 m2.

Culture care

Comprehensive eggplant care consists of such basic tasks as feeding, watering, forming a bush and protecting the plant.

Fertilization

Top dressing of eggplants in the open field during their growth is carried out on average three times:

1. Before the ovary appears, fertilizing is carried out with complex mineral fertilizers.
2. In the fruiting phase, a solution of nitrogen-phosphate fertilizers, prepared from a tablespoon of superphosphate and a teaspoon of ammonium nitrate per 10 liters of water, is introduced under the culture.
3. In a humid and cool summer, eggplants are fed with microelements by foliar method.

Watering and loosening

Eggplant is a very moisture-loving culture. During the growing season, he needs watering twice a week, and in hot summer conditions it would be more correct to water him every other day. After moistening, the near-stem zone should be carefully loosened: the formation of a crust inhibits the culture.

Bush formation

Competent shaping of the bush directly affects the future harvest. The correct bush should consist of a maximum of three stems, for the role of which the three strongest shoots are selected. After the bush is formed, new shoots are removed when their length reaches 5 cm. Leaves shading the sun's rays are also subject to removal: an ovary is formed on the plant only when the sun hits the flowers. To prevent the shoots from breaking, a trellis is stretched over each row, to which the plants are tied.

Plant protection from diseases and pests

The main damage to the culture is caused by Colorado beetles, which are able to destroy it completely. To prevent this, one should first of all observe the agricultural technology of cultivation: soil preparation, observance of crop rotation and others. If the settlement has occurred, then one should resort to spraying the bushes with insecticides, not forgetting the period of toxicity: chemical preparations should not be used after the formation of the ovary.

Harvesting and storage

On average, harvesting can be started 30-40 days after flowering, not forgetting to protect the hands and the plant itself. The fruit is cut with the stalk using a pruner or a table knife. The entire crop must be harvested before the arrival of frost. If it happens that there are bushes with a large number of unripe large fruits, they are dug up and transplanted into a greenhouse, where the vegetables can reach technical ripeness.

Attention! The resulting crop is stored in a cool dry place for one month.

So, when cultivating this culture, you can face a number of difficulties, since eggplants are very demanding. However, if you correctly approach the process and carry out comprehensive care for the eggplant, the effort spent will pay off with interest.

Eggplants belong to the nightshade family, just like potatoes, vegetable peppers and tomatoes, however, planting and growing "blue" in the open field have specific features.

Foreword

Growing eggplants has a number of significant differences:

• "Blue" ones require more heat than tomatoes and peppers: if the temperature is below +20, their pollination and fruit growth simply stop;
• these vegetables do not tolerate frost, this is especially true for young seedlings planted in open ground in spring;
• with a lack of moisture, the buds and ovaries fall off the plant, and the fruits take on an ugly shape;
• the eggplant that came from the south likes a bright, but short daylight, no longer than 12 hours;
• very demanding "blue" to the fertility of the soil - a good harvest can be obtained on light, fertile soils.

  Growing eggplants outdoors is possible next to peppers and tomatoes

Observance of crop rotation is also of great importance: growing this vegetable in the open field is possible next to peppers and tomatoes, but not after them. In general, after nightshades (including after themselves), eggplants can be planted only after three years. Almost all other vegetable crops are suitable predecessors. These vegetables feel good after carrots, cucumbers, onions, early cabbage, legumes and melons.

Video about eggplant in the open field

Which varieties of eggplant are suitable for growing outdoors

• King of the north. An early frost-resistant variety, but the shoots need to be hardened. 3-4 kg of harvest is obtained from a bush. At maximum ripeness, there are almost no voids in the fruits. With proper storage, it does not lose its attractiveness up to 2 months. Suitable for workpieces.
• Bebo. Super early unpretentious variety. The fruits are white, they can weigh half a kilogram.
• Black handsome. Small fruits (up to 200 g) of dark, almost black color. Up to 3 kg of harvest is obtained from a bush. The variety is afraid of frost.
• Albatross. Teardrop-shaped fleshy fruits without voids. Suitable for workpieces and long-term storage. Perfectly transported without damage.
• Diamond. A real decoration of the garden. Miniature spherical bushes are often used for decorative purposes. At the same time, up to 8 kg of crop can be harvested from one bush. The weight of one fruit is 180 g.
• Marzipan. The fruits are pear-shaped, their color is deep, purple. The main advantage of the variety is the delicate taste of the fruit.
• Vakula. The variety is unpretentious, patient with temperature changes. Up to 8 kg of harvest is obtained from one bush.

Cooking the garden

It is better to provide an eggplant bed in a wind-protected, sunny place, free from weeds. It is great if on the site you have light loamy or sandy loamy soils, which "little blue" like so much. What to do in other cases:

• with heavier soils, it is necessary to add humus and peat during the autumn digging of the earth. Adding sawdust, river sand or straw cutting for autumn digging will also help to make the soil lighter;
• if the soil is sandy, you need to add clay soil, peat and sawdust;
• sod land with humus is introduced into the peat soil.

In the fall, you can bring in fresh manure to increase the fertility of the land, but in the spring only rotted manure is already allowed, otherwise all the forces of the vegetable will go to the formation of a leaf mass, and you will be left without fruit.

Preparing the beds for growing eggplant

With the seedling method of planting eggplants, the soil must be prepared in the fall by digging 30 centimeters deep, adding the necessary components with fertilizers (potassium sulfate, superphosphate, urea) and removing the weeds. In April, the remaining weeds, pest larvae are destroyed and the soil is rolled over. It is recommended to carry out these works after rain so that the moisture in the ground is better preserved.

A garden bed up to 30 cm high and no more than one meter wide is suitable for this vegetable. Each gardener determines the length of the beds at his discretion. The prepared bed is leveled with a rake and the earth is spilled with a hot mullein solution or with Effekton fertilizer.

Correct sowing of seeds for seedlings

First of all, you need to prepare the soil for seedlings.It must meet the following requirements: neutral, light, loose, fertile. You can buy ready-made potting mix at a specialty store or make your own using one of the following recipes:

• River sand + lowland peat + compost in proportions 1: 4: 3.
• Humus + turf + rotted mullein in proportions 8: 2: 1.
• Peat + rotted sawdust in a ratio of 3: 1.
• Humus + turf in a ratio of 2: 1.
• Humus + peat in a ratio of 2: 1.

The soil must first be disinfected. To do this, hold it for 40 minutes in a hot oven or in a water bath. If this is not possible for you, pour boiling water over the soil abundantly to kill harmful microbes. For 10 kg of any of these mixtures, after sterilization, add ½ cup of potassium sulfate or 1 cup of wood ash. Before planting, keep the soil in a warm place for about 14 days so that beneficial microorganisms develop in it.

The best place to plant seeds is in peat cups or tablets. However, plastic glasses can also be used, but they must first be treated with a strong manganese solution. One day before planting, fill the containers with prepared soil and water abundantly.

The seeds also need to be pre-cooked. To do this, first immerse them in a strong manganese solution for half an hour to disinfect. After that, rinse the seeds, place them on a damp cloth and cover with another damp cloth. During the week, remove the seeds overnight in the refrigerator, and during the day, keep them just in the room. Then soak them for 12 hours in warm water with a growth stimulant. It is best to use rainwater or melted ice for this. Next, dry the seeds.

Place the prepared seeds, 2-3 in each container, and cover with a layer of soil 2 cm thick. Lightly compact the soil and cover the containers with plastic wrap. Maintain the temperature at 25-30 °.

Did you know that it is very convenient to grow seedlings in special cassettes. However, in this case, it is imperative to choose from a cassette with large cells, so you do not have to dive the seedlings and injure them once again.

Preparing seedlings for growing

After the first shoots have appeared, you can begin to prepare the seedlings for growing. To do this, you need to remove the covering material from the seedlings and lower the temperature in the room in which it is located. The optimum temperature during the day is 14-16 °, at night - 10-12 °. It is at this temperature that the root system develops most actively.

After a week, increase the daytime temperature to 25-27 °, and the nighttime temperature to 12-14 °. It is very important to observe the difference between day and night temperatures, this simulates natural conditions. After this preparation, the seedlings are easier to adapt to the open field.

How to grow eggplant seedlings

In the Russian climate, it is better to grow eggplants through seedlings, choosing popular early varieties that have time to ripen in a short summer. Seeds before planting on seedlings should be etched with a solution of potassium permanganate, heat treated by holding them in hot water (temperature +50) for twenty minutes, and germinate.

Soil for seedlings is mixed from fertile sod land, humus and sand in a ratio of 5: 3: 1. Additionally, phosphorus, potash and nitrogen fertilizers are introduced into the soil.

Eggplant seedlings must be watered systematically so that the soil does not have time to dry out

Having sown seeds in boxes or small pots with soil mixture, they are provided with a temperature of +25 degrees until germination, then for five days the temperature is reduced to +16 degrees during the day and +13 degrees at night. In the future, the seedlings grow at temperatures from +18 in cloudy weather to +28 in sunny weather. Before planting in the garden, the seedlings are hardened for two weeks, allowing them to gradually get used to outdoor conditions.

Eggplants must be watered systematically so that the soil does not have time to dry out.When the first two true leaves appear, top dressing is applied in the form of a superphosphate solution with potassium salt and urea. The second time is fed two weeks later.

When the plants form a good root system and reach 10 cm with five to seven true leaves, they can be planted in the garden. Of course, provided that the frost has passed and the weather is warm.

When the first two true leaves appear, top dressing is applied in the form of a superphosphate solution with potassium salt and urea

Seedling care

For seedlings planted in February or March, artificial lighting is needed, since the daylight hours are still very short. In total, the seedlings should be exposed to light for 12 hours. For the first three days, keep the artificial light on 24 hours a day, and then turn it on as needed. Artificial lighting should be at a distance of about 50 cm from the seedlings. Phytolamps or fluorescent lamps are best suited. Seedlings planted in April do not need artificial lighting, it is enough to keep them on the windowsill.

Eggplant seedlings love moisture, so it's important to water them regularly. However, you need to choose the correct irrigation regime, in which the soil will always be moderately moist. If the soil dries up, then you will get a small crop, but if there is too much water in it, there is a risk of developing fungal diseases. Water the eggplant seedlings with a spray bottle. For this, use settled water at room temperature. Loosen the soil slightly after each watering.

In 10-12 days after the appearance of the first shoots, top dressing should be applied. To do this, dilute 1 tablespoon of yellow Crystal in 10 liters of water. Immediately after fertilizing, be sure to water the seedlings so that there are no root burns.

If you planted seeds in large boxes or containers, you will have to dive the seedlings when they have 2 leaves each. Use small containers with drainage holes for this. Dive as carefully as possible. Please note that pinching the eggplant seedlings is not required.

Planting in open ground and further care

Ready seedlings must be watered abundantly a day before planting and watering must be repeated immediately before removing the seedlings from the box or pots.

The process of planting sprouts in the ground looks exactly the same as planting pepper: according to a certain scheme, holes (or furrows) are dug in the garden bed, where a large amount of water is poured, and seedlings are planted in the resulting "mud". The earth is compacted around the plants, a layer of mulch from dry earth or peat is poured on top. The planting scheme should be chosen based on how eggplants of certain varieties grow - for compact plants it will be enough to leave 40 cm between seedlings, and for high varieties, at least 50 cm will be needed.

With a seedless growing method, germinated and slightly dried seeds are immediately planted in the ground when its top layer warms up to +15 degrees. Due to the slow growth in the initial period, radishes are sown along with the eggplant seeds so as not to lose the rows in the garden.

Eggplant transplant

Since these vegetables are very afraid of the cold at night, for the first time over them you need to stretch a film on wire arcs. If you planted them outdoors in mid-May, cover the vegetables with a double layer of plastic wrap. It will be possible to remove the protective film by about mid-June, when the weather is warm. But at the same time, even in summer, you need to constantly monitor the temperature and, if necessary, cover the plants at night if they promise a cold snap.

The first two weeks "blue" will grow very slowly. You can help them by shallowly loosening the beds so that more air flows to the roots. It is recommended to postpone watering at this time, it is better to spray the plants with water with the addition of urea.

How to care for a vegetable in the garden:

• during the summer, regularly loosen the soil, preventing it from compaction, especially after rains;
• the soil should always be slightly moistened, irrigate with water heated in the sun;
• for the entire season, three dressings with mineral fertilizers and slurry, or bird droppings are enough for plants (the first dressing - 10 days after planting the eggplants, the second - twenty days later, the third - at the beginning of fruiting);
• remove weeds in a timely manner and make sure that pests or diseases do not appear on the fruits;
• hilling stimulates the development of adventitious roots, from which the fruit yield will increase.

Eggplant growing video

Diseases and pests of eggplant - prevention and control

How to harvest

Each type of eggplant has its own ripening period, be sure to take this into account. Harvesting too early will give you bitter and tasteless fruits, after harvesting late, the fruits will have large seeds and overripe pulp. It is important to have time to harvest the crop at the moment of technical maturity, at which time it is most delicious. Remember that biological maturity occurs literally a few weeks after technical maturity, so the moment can be easily missed. The most characteristic sign that it is time to harvest is the pronounced glossy shine of the fruit.

You can harvest the crop about a month after flowering, when the fruits become glossy and acquire a color characteristic of their variety. Brown eggplants are overripe, their flesh is already tasteless and rough. If, before the autumn cold, there are still underdeveloped large ovaries on the bushes, dig up the plants along with the roots and transplant them into a greenhouse.

Cut vegetables with a knife or pruner along with the stalk, being careful not to damage the shoots of the plant. It is better to eat the harvested fruits in the near future or to make preparations from them for the winter, since long-term storage of eggplants is a real art that not everyone can master.

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