Eggplants thrive in sunny gardens and are a delightful addition to your summer meals. Understanding the right moment to harvest ensures minimal damage and the best possible yield.
While growing eggplant can be somewhat challenging and requires specific conditions, harvesting them is relatively simple, allowing you to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
We've consulted gardening experts to help you determine the ideal time to pick your eggplants, ensuring you don’t harvest too early or too late.
When to pick eggplant: a brief overview
Eggplants are ready for harvest when their skin becomes firm and glossy with a deep, rich color. The size varies by type, so be sure to research the specific varieties you're cultivating. Generally, they become ready to pick in August, but you can harvest them earlier to ripen indoors if temperatures drop. Placing them on a dry surface or with bananas in a bag can speed up ripening. Keep an eye on your eggplants to prevent overripening or spoilage.
Timing your eggplant harvest
Typically, mid-summer to early fall, from July to September, is prime time for harvesting eggplants. However, this can vary depending on the specific variety and weather conditions during growth. Understanding how ripe eggplants should look and feel is essential to avoid common harvesting mistakes.
"Eggplants are generally harvested from mid-summer to early autumn," explains Annette Hird, an expert gardener. “They typically take around three months to produce harvestable fruits,” she adds.
Harvesting eggplants while they are still immature helps prevent bitterness. Overripe fruits are more prone to damage and pests. Investing in protective plants can help safeguard your eggplants.
As a rule, eggplants mature about 100-120 days after planting seeds or 60-85 days after transplanting.
Annette Hird holds an Associate Diploma in Horticulture and specializes in urban gardening. She has experience as a professional propagator, managing numerous gardens, and enjoys cultivating a variety of plants.
Identifying ripe eggplant
As part of the same family as tomatoes, eggplant ripeness can be determined by its skin.
Annette advises, "Fruits should be harvested once they achieve a dark color and glossy skin. A simple way to check ripeness is by gently pressing the skin. If it leaves a slight indentation and doesn’t bounce back, it’s ready to be picked."
If eggplants appear dull, they’re likely overripe and may taste bitter.
Another method for checking ripeness is to slice the fruit open. Inside, the flesh should be cream-colored with visible seeds. With practice, you'll be able to tell just by looking.
"Refer to the variety description for mature sizes before harvesting," suggests horticulture expert and Yardwork founder, Michael Clarke. "Mini varieties are typically harvested around three inches, while larger ones range from seven to ten inches long," he adds.
Michael Clarke is the founder of Yardwork and Pulled, platforms dedicated to home and garden. He holds a degree in landscape architecture and horticulture from the University of California, Davis.
Essential tools for harvesting eggplant
Harvest Basket: This charming traditional basket is ideal for gathering your homegrown fruits and vegetables, crafted from durable pine and maple.
Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears: These shears are perfect for pruning and collecting your produce. Their steel blades ensure long-lasting sharpness and durability.
Cut Resistant Gardening Sleeves: Protect yourself from thorns and sharp stems with these sleeves, designed for comfort and safety during all-day gardening tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should you pick eggplant?
When harvesting eggplants, be cautious as the plant may have thorns. Wearing long sleeves and gloves is advisable. Handle them gently to avoid bruising; use secateurs or a sharp knife to cut them off the plant instead of pulling them, which could harm the plant.
Eggplants can continuously produce fruits throughout the season, so check your plant every few days to gather them at their peak.
What’s the best way to store freshly picked eggplant?
Though best enjoyed right after picking, if you have excess, wrap eggplants in paper towels to absorb moisture and place them in an unsealed plastic bag for air circulation. Store in the crisper drawer of your fridge for up to four days. However, refrigeration may affect quality, so consume them quickly.
Can eggplant ripen after being picked?
Eggplants can ripen post-harvest, but the results may vary. Since they thrive in warm conditions, try ripening them at room temperature in your kitchen.
For quicker ripening, wrap them in a paper bag with bananas, as they release ethylene gas. However, this method requires vigilance to avoid overripening and spoilage.
Once ripened, store the eggplants in the fridge and eat them before they become soft.
You can also cultivate dwarf eggplant varieties indoors. They take the same time to mature as outdoor ones, allowing for year-round growth if provided with adequate warmth and light. Additionally, fertilizing eggplants can enhance their growth and yield.
