Black Beauty Eggplant

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Black Beauty Eggplant is a popular choice, featuring deep purple, glossy skin that adds a stunning touch to any garden. This easy-to-grow variety has big yields, growing 30" tall bushes that hold their large, meaty 2-pound fruit off the ground! Beautiful in the garden and in the kitchen, these purple gems are delicious breaded or fried and a as meat substitute in vegetarian or vegan dishes. Black Beauty Eggplant is a versatile ingredient in the kitchen, ideal for making everything from classic ratatouille to flavorful eggplant Parmesan.This eggplant variety is known for its rich, mild flavor and smooth texture, making it ideal for grilling, frying, and roasting. It thrives in warm climates and is a reliable producer, ensuring that home gardeners can enjoy fresh, homegrown produce throughout the growing season.

Also Known As: Black Beauty Aubergine, Black Eggplant, Purple Eggplant, Globe Eggplant, Oval Eggplant, American Eggplant, Italian Eggplant, Eggplant, Solanum Melongena, Purple Beauty, Large Black Beauty.

Plant Name: Eggplant, Black Beauty
Latin Name: Solanum melongena
Days to Germinate: 10-21
Days to Harvest: 90-120
Plant Height: 2 - 3 Feet
Spread: 18 - 24 Inches
Growth Habit: Bush
USDA Zones: 5-12
Lifespan: Annual
Brand: TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO: No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*: No
Seeds Packed For**: 2025
*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.


Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grows best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 3 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Eggplant grows best in warm weather. For an earlier eggplant harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 8-10 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 70F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is above 65F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting. If needed, support with stakes or cages if heavy eggplants weigh plants down as they establish.

If directly sowing eggplants outdoors, plant in late spring when the soil warms to at least 65F. Fall planting is not typically recommended but is possible in climates with mild winters, with consistent 70-80F conditions, or if growing indoors >70F and using supplemental grow lights. If needed, support with stakes or cages if heavy eggplants weigh plants down as they establish.

To plant, make holes 1/2 inch deep and 2 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth: 1/2 inch
Within-Row Spacing: 2 feet
Between-Row Spacing: 3-4 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once to twice a week. If there is no rainfall, water 3-4 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Mulching around plants can help retain moisture.
Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.
Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-3 weeks after germination, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Optionally, continue fertilizing every 1-2 weeks as plants grow. Water plants after fertilizing.
Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.
Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Harvest eggplants when they are glossy, firm, and have reached their mature size, typically 60-80 days after transplanting. Gently press the skin-if it springs back, it’s ripe; if the indentation stays, it’s overripe. Use sharp pruning shears or a knife to cut the fruit, leaving about 1 inch of the stem attached, and avoid pulling to prevent damaging the plant.