How to grow eggplants outdoors in Siberia tips?

Growing eggplants in Siberia until recently was considered a waste of time. Still, we are dealing with a rather thermophilic vegetable, it is quite difficult to care for the seedlings of which when it comes to the northern regions of the country. However, breeders do not stop there: now there are many varieties of this agricultural crop. Moreover, they perfectly take root not only in greenhouse conditions, but also in the garden. How to grow eggplants in Siberia, and what exactly needs to be taken into account by every gardener?

Variety selection

First of all, it is important to decide what varieties you are going to grow in your summer cottage. If we are talking about a greenhouse, there is no need to hesitate here for a long time, since under these conditions you will be able to harvest equally effectively both from early eggplant varieties and from medium or late ripening ones. But as for the garden, remember that the varieties of this agricultural crop, which ripen quite late, bear fruit in the fall. Accordingly, in the garden, they can simply freeze out, since frosts are frequent in the autumn.

What varieties to give preference to? Representatives of the following types of eggplant are most suitable for Siberia:

  • "Diamond". This variety belongs to the mid-season varieties. The bush can reach a height of up to half a meter, while the fruits are distinguished by a peculiar shape that resembles a cylinder in appearance. They have a deep purple hue and form primarily on the underside of the plant. It is noteworthy that this is one of the few varieties of eggplant, in the taste of the pulp of which there is no bitterness. It is also important that the yield indicators will not deteriorate if the seedlings of these eggplants are planted in the garden;
  • "Nutcracker". This variety is a cross between early and mid-season eggplants. It will take approximately 45 days for the fruit to fully ripen. What is this type of eggplant characterized by? Their fruits are dark purple in color, while the shape is rounded. As a rule, many problems for farmers can arise not only during the cultivation of such a vegetable, but also at the stage of its storage. However, with a variety called the Nutcracker, nothing like that threatens you. Vegetables retain their properties for a long time, so it is not necessary to immediately process or preserve them;
  • "Sailor". These early maturing eggplants are cylindrical in shape. The bush reaches a height of a little less than a meter. Remarkably, the green pulp has no bitterness in taste, which is always appreciated by gardeners.

All these varieties are considered fruitful and grow well even in such a seemingly not the most favorable region like Siberia.

Video "How to grow eggplants in Siberia"

From the video you will learn how to effectively grow eggplants in this region.

Land preparation

How to grow eggplants competently? After the varieties that are optimal for your region have been selected, it's time to start preparing the substrate for further planting of seedlings.

First, decide on the container in which you are going to grow the eggplant. This can be one large container or drawer, as well as small flower pots or disposable cups. If you sow the seeds separately, you do not have to resort to the process of picking the sprouts.

Special attention should be paid to the direct mixing of all the necessary components to obtain a substrate. Take turf and mix it with sand, peat, and humus. When the soil is ready to use, sprinkle it into your containers and pots, and top with a strong manganese solution. The purchase of a substrate in a specialized store is considered to be quite the best option, but this will cost you a pretty penny.

If you did everything correctly, after two weeks the first shoots will appear in your containers. Do not try to dig in places of sowing of eggplant seeds to check whether they are "alive": such a procedure can disrupt the process of development of the seed.

Do not forget to provide optimal conditions for growth after sowing seeds in the ground. In particular, we are talking about the volume and frequency of watering. It is undesirable to oversaturate the soil with moisture, however, it is not worth keeping the substrate in drought either.

Seed preparation

When growing seedlings, you must understand that absolutely all stages of this multi-layer process have their own weight and will largely affect the yield and quality of fruits in the future. Therefore, pay due attention to all the components, for example, the stage of preparing the eggplant seeds. First of all, they need to be checked for "survivability". To do this, prepare a strong saline solution at the rate of 30 g of salt per liter of water and place part of the seed there, at least 10-15 grains. If half of them ended up at the bottom of the container with liquid, you can safely sow eggplant grains into the ground.

Experienced farmers quite often try to stimulate seeds to actively germinate even before they are sown in the substrate. To do this, they are placed on damp cotton pads or covered with napkins moistened with water. Thus, immediately before planting the seeds in the soil, you will see which ones have sprouted, which means that, with proper care, they will bring a good harvest. For those who want to prepare seedlings as competently as possible for "relocation", it is necessary to follow a certain sequence of actions. For example, immediately after sowing the seeds in the ground, the containers are placed in a warm room (you can put the pots with seeds right on the windowsill). At the same time, it is very important to provide additional artificial lighting at first. In the future, the seedlings can be transferred to the greenhouse and only after that they can be planted in open ground.

Transplanting

Planting sprouted grains in the garden is another significant step for any gardener. The first thing to take into account is that you need to be extremely careful when removing sprouts from the container. Their root system is not too strong, and by damaging it, you can destroy the entire process. Some farmers prefer to sow eggplant seeds in peat. In this case, it is not necessary to remove the seedlings from there, you can transplant it along with the nutrient substrate.

Greenhouse and outdoor care

Sowing homemade eggplant in Siberia is not an easy task. However, it is equally important to ensure optimal conditions for the growth of your seedlings. It is certainly much easier to grow eggplants in greenhouse conditions.The temperature regime is regulated there, and abrupt climatic changes will not affect the sprouts of agriculture. In the garden, many troubles lie in wait for them, and it's not just the weather, pests can cause special harm to the plant. It is recommended to deal with them with professional means if you want to harvest a good harvest.

Harvesting

Experienced farmers will certainly agree that shrubs can be damaged while harvesting ripe fruits. Therefore, in no case pluck the fruits. They must be carefully cut, and together with the stalk. As for the process of storing them, a lot depends on the variety you choose. Some fruits lose their characteristics rather quickly, so it is recommended to preserve them immediately. But there are also varieties that can be stored in cellars or back rooms for a long time.

Seed preparation

If earlier you, perhaps, preferred to buy eggplant seeds, then having collected a full harvest from your garden, you can find an alternative - harvesting seed at home. To do this, select a few of the largest fruits from the beds and leave them in a warm room for 5-10 days. Thus, the resulting seeds can be sown next season.

Of course, the process of growing eggplant in an area with rather harsh climatic features is a complicated matter. And here it will take a lot of effort on your part. In addition, not every experienced gardener will agree to spend efforts on such a process.

But if you adhere to the key recommendations from experts, the result will be good. Early or medium-sized, eggplants will become an indispensable ingredient in your meals, and they are also quite popular when canned. The main thing is to protect the seedlings from the effects of low Siberian temperatures and pests. In this case, you can grow eggplants in your garden and prepare your own seed for next spring.

Video "The best varieties of eggplant"

From the video you will learn the characteristics of the best varieties of eggplant.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Growing eggplants outdoors in Siberia now doesn't seem like a fantastic task.

Modern science offers many varieties that are resistant to harsh conditions.

How to grow eggplants in Siberia and all the difficulties and subtleties that you will have to face along the way - in our article.

When to plant eggplants for seedlings in Siberia?

Since the summer in Siberia is short, so the choice of eggplant for growing should be made in favor of early varieties or hybridsThis is the first rule, it will allow them to fully ripen and get a good harvest.

Second rule: you have to choose varieties that are resistant to temperature extremes and tolerate low temperatures well... There are many such seeds on the market now. Learn more about preparing seeds before sowing.

Suitable varieties for sowing eggplants for seedlings in Siberia: "Purple Miracle", "Nutcracker", "Sailor", "Robin Hood"... In a short Siberian summer, these varieties have time to fully ripen, in addition, they have a good yield and a number of other advantages.

REFERENCE! When growing seedlings, gardeners face many difficulties and this is perhaps the most difficult stage in growing this crop. Falling, stretching and yellowing of seedlings - this is not a complete list of the problems that one has to face when growing it.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tipsTo avoid problems at the very initial stage, the lighting regime should be strictly observed: seedlings loves light, temperature and irrigation.

You should also watch out for harmful insects that can cause irreparable harm to small shoots. A very important point will be the choice of containers for growing seedlings, they must be spacious and disinfected.

How to plant eggplants for seedlings in Siberia? Seedlings are grown only in heated greenhouses... Since another option is impossible not only in Siberia, but even in the southern regions.From the moment the seeds were planted in the ground and before their germination, 80-90 days pass.

Seedlings are planted at the end of May, even at the beginning of Junewhen the threat of frost has passed. Seeds for seedlings should be planted in late February, early March. It is not worth delaying the timing too much, since the plant has a long vegetative period and the eggplants will not have time to ripen, even early-ripening varieties.

Landing in open ground

IMPORTANT! The best time for planting eggplant seedlings in open ground is the beginning of June, when the threat of frost is guaranteed to pass. For planting in open ground, varieties of early ripening are recommended.

The harsh conditions can be compensated for by the composition of the soil. It should contain many organic substances and be neutral in composition. To lower acidity, you can use chalk or dolomite flour, both are good and effective and most importantly safe, as they are completely natural.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tipsBy mechanical properties loose and loamy soils are more suitable than others... Therefore, it is better to prepare it before planting.

To do this, you need to take sand at the rate of one bucket per square meter. m. of land. Then dig up everything and loosen it properly. Areas where potatoes grew last season are not recommended for planting eggplants.

For growing in unprotected soil you should choose an illuminated place, preferably without shade and drafts... To create optimal conditions, the following planting scheme is used: between seedlings 40-50 cm and 50-60 cm between rows.

This method of planting does not give thickening and all plants will have enough light, this is especially important in the conditions of the Siberian summer. After planting in open ground, young shoots at first should be protected at night with covering material.

For this, gardeners use non-woven "Agrotex" or "Spanboard". After the bushes have finally hardened, the protection can be removed.

Features of care for seedlings

ATTENTION! It takes a lot of work to get a good eggplant harvest in Siberian conditions. In addition to the harsh weather conditions, another danger lies in wait for gardeners: these are harmful insects.

Eggplant can be attacked by spider mites, Colorado potato beetles and other pests that eat nightshade crops. It is possible to fight against aphids, mites and thrips by washing them off with soapy water, but it will be more effective to use the drug "Confidor" and "Barrier".

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tipsFrom the Colorado potato beetle, the Prestige remedy is effectively taken. Since the eggplant seedlings are still grown in greenhouses, they are also threatened by the greenhouse whitefly; the drug Confidor has been successfully used against it for many years.

Most modern varieties and hybrids of eggplant, especially for northern latitudes, have a very high resistance to diseases, including fungi. But this does not mean that gardeners can relax, no one canceled prevention.

Timely watering, abundant, but not frequent, good lighting and low planting density Is the first step towards healthy plants. But all kinds of things are found on the site. If your plantings are affected by root rot, you need to reduce watering.

Black leg is an incurable disease that threatens to spread to other plants. To avoid this, the affected bushes are removed, and the places where they grew are treated with a disinfecting solution. Unfortunately, only such drastic measures can prevent the spread of the disease to the rest of the bushes.

REFERENCE! It should be watered with lukewarm water every 10-12 days, but abundantly. Water should be passed through a filter or defended during the day.

Top dressing

should be carried out 3-4 times per season. It is better to use complex fertilizers. For this, such means as "Zdraven", "Kemira-hydro" and "Kemira-kombi" are suitable.

In addition, to provide the eggplant bushes with microelements, once every 25-30 days, fertilizing with such preparations as "Zircon +" and "Cytovit" should be carried out.This will fully meet the plant's need for all the necessary substances.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tipsEggplant bushes need a garter, and its branches must be strengthened with props, since the fruits are quite large, which can cause them to break off.

When the plant reaches 30-45 cm in growth, it can be pinched, leaving no more than 6 ovaries.

Growing a good harvest of this capricious nightshade crop in Siberian conditions is no more difficult than in the south, if you take the right variety. Following our instructions and advice, you will succeed, good luck.

So, we found out when to sow eggplants for seedlings in Siberia, gave the approximate dates for sowing seeds, and gave advice on how to properly grow eggplants in Siberia?

Useful materials

Read other articles on growing and caring for eggplant seedlings:

  • Different growing methods: in peat tablets, in a snail and even on toilet paper.
  • All the features of sowing according to the lunar calendar.
  • The golden rules for growing from seeds.
  • Features of cultivation in various regions of Russia: in the Urals and in the Moscow region.
  • Dive tips.

Useful video

Practical advice from a gardener on the successful cultivation of eggplant in Siberia:

Eggplant is a herbaceous perennial plant. His homeland is India, South Asia and the Middle East. The spread of the culture was facilitated by the Arabs. In the 9th century, they brought wild eggplants to Africa. And only six centuries later the plant got to Europe, in the XIX century the first varieties appeared. And today this southern vegetable, thanks to breeders, is also grown in Siberia.

What eggplants grow in Siberia

The growing season for eggplants is long, and the summer in Siberia is short. In the earliest varieties from germination to the first harvest, about 90-100 days pass, in late-ripening - up to 150. But the bush does not give the entire harvest in one harvest, flowering lasts all summer until autumn, therefore, the culture is grown even in the southern regions through seedlings and plant it in a greenhouse or greenhouse.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Eggplants in Siberia, as in all regions of Russia, are grown through seedlings

In Siberia, from the last spring frosts to the first autumn frosts, an average of 90 days pass. This means that early varieties need to be grown in this region, and if there is a greenhouse, mid-season ones.

Eggplant varieties for Siberia

Siberian vegetable growers have a large selection of eggplant varieties.

King of the north

The hybrid was bred specifically for regions with harsh climates. Differs in cold resistance. The bush develops a powerful one - 1 m in height. It begins to bear fruit on the 95-100th day. Fruit length - 25-30 cm, sometimes up to 40 cm, average weight - 300 g. In a greenhouse during the Siberian summer from one bush you can get up to 10 fruits, and from 1 m2 - 12-15 kg. Under the glossy purple skin lies a whitish, dense flesh. The lack of bitterness makes cooking easier, no need to pre-soak in salt water.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

A characteristic feature of the King of the North eggplant is the purple color of the stem

Northerner

Despite the name, the Severyanin variety is recommended for cultivation in all regions of the Russian Federation. Eggplant bears fruit well in different weather conditions. Has shown excellent results at test sites in Western Siberia. Designed for growing in open ground and under a film shelter. The northerner belongs to the mid-season, gives the first fruits on the 110th day after germination. Sow for seedlings 60-70 days before planting in the ground. The bush grows compact - up to 50 cm in height. Fruits differ from the classic ones only in a pear-shaped form. The usual fruit weight for this variety is 165 g, but specimens grow up to 600 g. Experts estimate the taste as excellent. Outdoor yield - 6.4 kg / m².

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Eggplant Severyanin, with good care, is hung with pear-shaped fruits with a glossy purple surface

Samurai sword

The fruits of eggplant look spectacular. Samurai sword: dark purple, glossy, lined, each about 200 g. But the variety is inferior to Severyanin in productivity. Semi-spreading bush, up to 60 cm high.The taste after cooking is good and excellent. Pulp without bitterness. In terms of ripening, it belongs to the mid-season, you will have to wait 110–120 days before harvesting.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Eggplant Samurai Sword bears beautiful club-shaped fruits, aligned in size

Irzhik

An early variety, the first eggplants can be harvested in 90-100 days. Their characteristic feature is a ribbed surface. The bush grows compact and tall - up to 70 cm. Outdoor yield in the southern regions of Siberia is 5.9 kg / m². Spherical fruits weighing 350 g are perfect for stuffing with different fillings.

Irzhik is a Czech and Slovak name. The inhabitants of the USSR know the tale "Goldilocks". Irzhik in it was the name of the main character, a cook who served with the grumpy king, understood the language of animals, birds, insects.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Eggplant Irzhik stands out among others with rather large spherical fruits with pronounced ribbing

Overseas minke

The bush of the Overseas minke whale is spreading, with large leaves, high - up to 120 cm, the corresponding fruits - 500–900 g each. Productivity under the film is about 9 kg / m². When grown outdoors in drought or rainy weather, the bush may not grow to the declared 120 cm, but the fruit sets large. As a result, vegetable growers get short plants with huge eggplants, 1-2 on each bush.

There are also striped eggplant varieties Matrosik, Striped flight, Marble.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Eggplant Overseas minke whale painted purple with white longitudinal stripes

Milkman

White is an unusual color for eggplants. The fruits of the Milkman make a contrast with greenery and earth, pleasing to the eye both in the garden and on the table. The bush grows up to 1 m in height. The first eggplants are ready for harvest in 105–115 days, weight - about 250 g. The flesh is white, tender, without bitterness. You can prepare delicious snacks and side dishes for meat. Productivity under a film cover - 8 kg / m². In the south of Siberia, it grows well in the open field.

From a series of white eggplants with fruits of about the same size and shape, you can try the varieties Pelican, White Prince, White Fairy, White Night.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Eggplant Milkman in the south of Siberia grows well in the open field

Medallion

Medallion - small-fruited eggplant. The advantages of such varieties: many fruits, decorative appearance, suitable for canning as a whole, convenient to stuff. The Medallion bush does not grow taller than 55 cm, is very compact, with small leaves. Early ripening variety - 90–95 days before harvest. Fruit weight - 80 g each. It is grown in open ground, in a greenhouse, a greenhouse, on a balcony and on a windowsill in a pot. The yield of this crumb is small - 3 kg / m² under a film cover.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Small-fruited eggplant Medallion grows well even in a pot

Ping pong

The bush is semi-spreading and high - up to 80 cm, requires pinching, according to the principle of tomatoes. Ripening period - 116 days after germination. Fruits are white, spherical, each 70–90 g. Productivity per bush is about 1 kg, from 1 m2 - 6–7 kg. Main advantages: few thorns, even fruits without bitterness, good keeping quality and transportability.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Ping Pong Eggplant Ideal for Whole Fruit Canning

Golden egg

This eggplant is called indoor, but no one forbids planting it in a greenhouse and open ground. Moreover, in the open field, the bush and fruits will be larger. The height of the plant is 50 cm. The size and shape of the fruits are similar to chicken eggs.

Compact bush, long flowering. At the time of fruiting, it is hung with multi-colored fruits, like Christmas decorations. During cultivation, the tip must be pinched to induce branching. Fruit without bitterness. You need to pick them still white, until the seeds are ripe.

Eggplant seeds are also on sale. White egg, the variety is also early, but the fruits are large - up to 200 g, the height of the bush is 70 cm, you need to grow it in the ground, and not in a pot.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

In the eggplant Golden Egg, the fruits change their color as they ripen

Finger

On a bush of classical shape and size, multiple clusters of small elongated fruits are formed.The length of the eggplant reaches 16–27 cm with a diameter of 1.5–2 cm. It can be cooked, canned and eaten whole. The pulp is greenish, without bitterness. Productivity against the background of low fruit weight (30–40 g each) is impressive - 7 kg / m². Created for growing in open ground through seedlings, mid-season, undemanding to watering.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Finger eggplant got its name from the size and shape of the fruit.

How to grow eggplants in Siberia

Eggplant is a very capricious plant, it requires a lot of light, heat, timely watering. Even in a greenhouse, this culture is recommended to be kept alone, without neighbors, or to build a separate greenhouse to create a microclimate suitable only for eggplants. In addition, the most annoying and difficult to exterminate pests like to feast on the delicate leaves of this southerner: the Colorado potato beetle, aphids, spider mites. Prevention should be started during the seedling period.

Sowing seedlings

Early and mid-maturing eggplants push their buds about 60–70 days after germination. At this age, they need to be planted in the ground, since flowers will crumble on the windowsill in conditions of tightness, low light and ventilation.

The best planting time for early and mid-maturing varieties in Siberia is the first decade of March. Seeds germinate for at least 10 days, seedlings will be in mid-March, and buds in mid-late May. At this time, you can plant eggplants under a temporary shelter - in a greenhouse made of arches and film. If you sow later and plant in open ground in June, when frosts stop in Siberia, you will not get enough in the harvest. Before the onset of cold weather, only the first fruits will have time to ripen. For cultivation in a greenhouse, sowing is carried out earlier - in the second half of February.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Eggplant seeds need about 10 days to germinate.

Having decided on the timing, you can start working with the seeds.

  1. In eggplants, they are small, it is inconvenient to soak, dry or sow wet, so sow dry to a depth of 0.5-1 cm.
  2. Buy soil special for tomatoes, eggplants and peppers or universal for seedlings.
  3. Optimum temperature for eggplants: 22-28⁰C, at 15⁰C and below the seeds will not germinate.
  4. Cover the seed box with glass or foil.
  5. Open, ventilate and check soil moisture every day. If the top layer is dry, pour or sprinkle with water. Excess moisture is just as harmful as lack of moisture.

Seedling care

Place the sprouted seedlings on the lightest windowsill. In March, it is still cold in Siberia, there is snow, so the place should be not only bright, but also warm. Eggplants can get sick with a black leg from the temperature drop and die. Freshly emerged eggplants have small roots, so do not let even the top layer of soil dry out. Sprinkle or spoon regularly. The water should be at room temperature, separated.

If there is still a lot of snow outside, then melt it naturally, without heating, and water it with melt water.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

When the first shoots appear, place the seedling box on a light windowsill

With luck, if everything is done correctly, your green pets will soon grow the first true leaves. It's time for a pick. Eggplants do not like to be disturbed by their roots, so the seedlings are grown with a minimum number of transplants. But it is not worth planting small plants immediately in liter pots. Their first individual containers can be simple disposable cups or pots of similar volume. There must be drain holes. Pry the seedlings gently with a spoon, step back from the stem to take with a lump of earth, in which the root is entirely. Then the plants will not notice the transplant, they will quickly grow.

Video: the first eggplant pick

A week after transplanting and then every 10 days, feed the seedlings with special complex fertilizers: Fertika Lux (1 tbsp. Per 10 l of water), Agricola Forward (1-2 tbsp. L. Per 10 l).

It is no longer necessary to water constantly.Eggplants have developed strong roots and can draw moisture from the depths of the cups. This culture does not like dampness, which is why the germination stage is so dangerous for it, when it cannot be overdried or overmoistened. With grown seedlings, everything is much easier. Water only when the leaves begin to lose turgor, that is, they hang a little, lose their elasticity. Allow enough water to drain out of the drain holes. Pour the excess out of the pan and, if possible, if it's warm outside, open the window to ventilate the eggplant room.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Eggplant should be watered when the leaves begin to lose turgor.

When the above-ground part of the bushes in volume exceeds the cups or pots of soil, it's time to make a second pick. This time we need liter pots or buckets.

Actions for transshipment of seedlings without destroying the clod of earth:

  1. Moisten the soil in pots so that it does not run off with dirt during transplantation, at the same time it does not crumble from dryness.
  2. Pour enough soil into the new pots so that the old glass can be put inside, and their necks are at the same level.
  3. Grasp the eggplant glass with one hand, and with the palm of your other hand, cover it on top, passing the stem between your fingers.
  4. Turn it upside down with a glass, roll over the walls so that the earth moves away from them. The root should come out with a lump of earth and be in the palm of your hand.
  5. Gently flip the roots upside down and place in a new pot. It is impossible to deepen, that is, the top layer from the old cup should remain the top layer in the new one.

The first day after transplanting, keep the eggplants in a shade, for example, on the floor. Then transfer to the light again, you can on the insulated balcony. Continue leaving: feeding, watering, airing.

Video: transshipment of seedlings using the example of cucumbers

Preparing a site for planting eggplants in open ground

In Siberia, the summer cottage season traditionally begins on the May holidays. Then start preparing the garden, but you can take care of this in the fall. Prepare the garden bed either in a greenhouse or in the sunniest place of the site, where you can build a greenhouse from arcs. Rows of eggplants for better lighting and warming up by the sun should be located from north to south.

The best precursors for eggplant are: cabbage, onion, melon, cucumber, pumpkin, squash, peas, beans, beans. Cannot be planted after tomatoes, peppers and potatoes.

The soil must be cleared of plant debris and dug up with fertilizers. Eggplants are very demanding on the composition and structure of the soil. It should be loose, breathable and fertile. On loamy and sandy loam soils on 1 m², add: a bucket of humus or compost and 300 g of wood ash, which can be replaced with superphosphate and potassium sulfate - 1 tbsp. l. everyone. If the soil is heavy, clayey, you can add peat, rotted sawdust, straw cutting, compost.

The planting scheme for each variety is different, indicated on the seed package.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Before digging, sprinkle humus on the ground, you cannot use fresh manure

If the bed is in open ground, install arcs and cover with a film, the ground will warm up faster and retain moisture. Sow beans and peas along both sides of the bed. In the summer, when you remove the film, the wings of these plants will protect the eggplants from the wind and create a favorable microclimate.

Planting eggplants in the garden and further care

Eggplants can be planted in a greenhouse in the last decade of May, and in a greenhouse 1–2 weeks earlier. If you plant in a greenhouse, which you will open for the day and close for the night, then in 7-10 days begin to accustom the seedlings to direct sunlight: open the window, put it on the balcony or take it out into the garden if you live in a country house. Increase the duration of your stay in the open air from one hour to a full day. Give the last dressing a week before planting, water well the day.

Transplanting:

  1. To transplant to a garden bed, choose a cloudy day or evening hours.
  2. According to the scheme for your variety, make holes the size of a seedling pot.
  3. Transplant each eggplant by transshipment without disturbing the roots.
  4. Water and mulch the soil with cut grass, old sawdust, or simply sprinkle with dry soil.
  5. For better rooting in a new place, spray with vitamins for plants that help to cope with stressful situations: Epin, Energen Extra, Novosil.
  6. Shade the eggplant for the first 1-2 days.

Video: planting eggplant with fertilization in the hole

Care rules after disembarkation:

  • warmth is the main thing that needs to be provided for eggplants. On hot days, open and ventilate the greenhouse or greenhouse, close at night and in cloudy weather. After June 7–10, when frosts stop in Siberia, the temporary film shelter can be removed and re-installed at the end of August;
  • watering should be the same as on the windowsill: 1–2 times a week at the first signs of wilting, water abundantly in order to wet the soil to the entire root depth - about 30 cm. Drip irrigation is welcome;
  • start feeding one week after planting and repeat every 10 days. Do not feed with nitrogen fertilizers, manure and dung. Eggplants have entered the season of fruiting, they need phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. Now buy fertilizers not for seedlings, but for fruiting eggplants, for example, under the brands BioMaster, BioHumus, Agricola.
  • the soil should be loose, without a surface crust. Mulch will help you with this;
  • the formation of a bush for each variety individually. Growing in one stem, you can not touch or pinch the top at a height of 30 cm, and then leave 2-3 lateral shoots. Strongly branching varieties need to be pinned, like tomatoes, that is, before the first fork. In any case, in Siberia, leave 5-6 ovaries on one bush, pluck the rest, because they will not have time to ripen, and the juices from the bush will be taken away. Tie tall varieties to trellises or pegs;
  • the use of insecticides against pests is possible only during the seedling period, when it is still far from harvesting. In the phase of flowering and growth of the ovaries, you will have to collect the larvae by hand, pick off the infected leaves, use folk remedies;
  • Harvest selectively, pick the fruits in technical ripeness, until hard seeds have formed inside. If you want to get your own seeds, then keep in mind that hybrids do not have seeds, or they are undeveloped and empty.

Video: how eggplants are grown in Siberia

Reviews about growing eggplants in Siberia

Although eggplants are thermophilic plants, they can also be grown in Siberia. You need to choose an early ripe variety, take care of shelter, good feeding, timely watering. You also need to take into account that the cultivation of the culture begins long before the beginning of summer, since it is necessary to prepare the seedlings.

My hobbies: plant growing, healthy lifestyle, Tibetan medicine, home winemaking. Merchandise expert by education.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

Eggplant has always been considered a southern plant. During my childhood, I had never even heard of such a vegetable. Only when we went to visit relatives in Volgograd, I first saw an eggplant with my own eyes. Well, I saw and saw. Soon I forgot about him. And only much later, when my gardening grew into a favorite hobby, I again remembered about eggplants and began to look for information. Now a lot of early varieties have appeared, and it has become much easier to grow eggplants. But still, many do not risk planting them if there is no greenhouse. I took a chance and it worked out for me! I want to share my experience.

I grow seedlings as usual. I plant from 5 to 15 March, it's not worth it earlier, otherwise, due to a lack of light, the plants will stretch out, and we will not plant seedlings before May. Eggplants do not like transplanting, so I put them in small plastic cups, each seed separately.I feed them with soluble biohumus-based fertilizers for seedlings once every two weeks. And when they grow up, I do the transfer into liter buckets of mayonnaise.

For planting seedlings, I prepare a bed in advance. And I will start this procedure in May. I remove the top fertile layer of the earth and fold it on the side. I put a layer of manure or hay down, maybe last year's grass. I put strong stakes on the sides of the bed and enclose it with boards or a croaker about 50 cm high.

I try to make the structure strong and without gaps. If everything is done correctly, the garden bed will last for more than one year. Now I apply the soil that I removed from the ridge, add 9 buckets of humus or well-rotted compost to a ridge 1 m wide and 4 m long. I stir, level the earth and spill it with hot water from a watering can.

After that, from above, I close the garden bed with old plastic wrap, it can be full of holes, in several layers and leave it for several days so that the earth warms up better. When the weather gets warmer, I plant seedlings. I usually do this after May 15, because in Siberia, frosts can be until June 10.

how to grow eggplant outdoors in Siberia tips

I simply transfer the seedlings into the ridge without damaging the earthen lump, it is usually completely entwined with roots and does not fall apart. I spill the hole well with water, put eggplant seedlings and cover them with earth. I plant it at the same depth as the seedlings grew in a bucket, only I sprinkle the bare roots from above. I put arcs on the garden bed and cover them on top with covering material. If a cold snap is expected, I also cover it with plastic wrap on top. Seedlings usually take root well and start growing quickly.

I plant eggplants with buds, and soon they bloom. Further care consists in watering, feeding and weeding. When it's hot outside, the ridge is open, and if the temperature drops below 15 ° C, I again cover the plants with covering material. In July, I begin to collect the first fruits. When the seedlings grow, I raise the arcs. I feed it a couple of times with any complex water-soluble fertilizer for nightshade crops. I water as the topsoil dries out. Eggplants need regular watering even more than peppers.

At the end of August, I again cover the ridge with a film on top. And until mid-September I still have time to collect the fruits that have set. Despite slight frosts, those fruits that set at the end of summer grow, under the shelter they have enough warmth for growth, although the plants no longer bloom.

I plant different varieties, but always choose early maturing ones. So the harvest is guaranteed to have time to ripen.

Svetlana Shishkina, Tobolsk

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