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Eggplant has many fans. This vegetable, rich in potassium and other trace elements, is very beneficial for health, it strengthens blood vessels, removes excess fluid from the body, and destroys cholesterol. Any owner wants to see eggplants not only on the shelves of shops and markets, but also on their own garden plot.
The difficulty lies in the thermophilicity of the vegetable; it is generally accepted that eggplant can only be grown in the south.
Modern varieties and hybrids are so adapted to external influences that they perfectly tolerate any temperature conditions. The climate of the Moscow region is more northern, constant frosts begin here in October and end only in May. Not every culture will withstand such conditions, but there are varieties of eggplant specially adapted for growth in conditions of short and cool summers.
What varieties can be grown in the suburbs
The eggplant vegetation period (the period from the appearance of the first shoots to fruit ripening) averages 110 days. There are earlier and early maturing varieties, they begin to bear fruit on the 75-90th day. Mid-ripening eggplants bear their first fruits 110-120 days after planting. It is these cultures that are most suitable for the conditions of the Moscow region.
Early and mid-ripening eggplants give the best results.:
- take root well after planting seedlings in the ground;
- have hardening from low temperatures;
- protected from most diseases;
- have a short growing season;
- suitable for growing in greenhouses and outdoors;
- give high yields.
How eggplants are grown in the Moscow region
As in any northern region, it is better to plant vegetables in a greenhouse in the Moscow region. This method guarantees high yields, because the plants will be protected from frost and temperature fluctuations.
However, not all summer residents and gardeners have a greenhouse at their disposal, in which case eggplants can also be planted in open ground. But this must be done in a seedling way.
First of all, you need to take care of the seedlings. Of course, young eggplant plants can be bought, but since they do not tolerate transportation and transplanting very well, it is better to grow seedlings on your own. After all, the best yields give strong and healthy plants.
Growing eggplant seedlings has its own characteristics:
- seeds “hatch” for a long time – 4-6 days.
- Before planting in the soil, the seeds must be soaked by wrapping them in a damp cloth. In this form, they should lie for 4-5 days.
- It is better to sow seeds in disposable containers so that fragile stems and roots are not damaged during transplantation. Be sure to have drainage holes in the cups to release excess moisture, otherwise the plant may rot.
- The soil for eggplant seedlings can be prepared independently, for this they mix the earth from the garden or greenhouse with humus, ash, peat and loosening agent (coarse sand, sawdust, straw chips).
- Each swollen seed is laid on the ground and sprinkled with a centimeter layer of soil, and then watered.
- Seed containers are covered with glass or plastic wrap and placed in a warm place (24-28 degrees) for 10 days.
- Dishes with emerging shoots are removed to a cooler place, the temperature there should be within 20 degrees.
- Seedlings are watered in a timely manner, eggplants love water.
Features of eggplant
Eggplant is a capricious culture. And, although modern varieties and hybrids are maximally adapted to external influences, these vegetables need some care.
Here are some guidelines:
- An important feature of eggplant is their dependence on daylight hours. This plant needs long-term lighting – the day for eggplant must be at least 12 hours. And since the seedlings of this vegetable are grown in February-May, it is problematic to provide the right amount of sunlight. The way out is artificial lighting – the seedlings are “illuminated” with fluorescent lamps.
- Eggplant seedlings are planted in a heated greenhouse in March, in a greenhouse with solar heating – in late April – early May, and for open ground you will have to wait for the end of night frosts – in the Moscow region this period falls on May 25 – June 10.
- Depending on the timing of planting, the time when you need to sow the seeds is also selected. At the same time, it must be taken into account that it is allowed to plant plants of 45-55 days of age in a heated greenhouse, in other cases you will have to wait – the seedlings must be at least 75 days old. The trunks of seedlings should be strong, the leaves should be large, bright green.
- Eggplants need to be watered regularly. The most suitable watering scheme is once a week, but very plentifully. The water should be warm, plants do not like the cold.
- Another important requirement is that eggplants need air access. In order for oxygen to reach the roots, after each watering, the earth must be pushed.
- It is better to fertilize the “blue ones” with a solution of cow manure. Do this 3-4 times during the entire growing season.
- Eggplants need space, so no more than 4-6 plants should be planted per square meter.
- Tall varieties should be tied up on a trellis, as well as pinched, forming side shoots.
The best varieties for the Moscow region
Considering all of the above, it can be concluded that for the conditions of the northern region, early and mid-ripening eggplants are most suitable, which give a high yield and are resistant to diseases and low temperatures.
It would also be nice if the selected variety turned out to be universal – suitable for greenhouses and open ground. In the absence of a greenhouse on the site, it is more efficient to use a temporary film cover or plant seedlings in polyethylene tunnels.
“Giselle F1”
The best of these universal eggplants are vegetables of the Giselle F1 hybrid. This plant can be grown both in the south and in the north, both in a greenhouse and in open ground. The only thing is that in a heated greenhouse, the yield of the hybrid will be slightly higher – up to 14 kgm², with the usual 7-9 kg.
The fruits grow large, their weight often reaches 500 grams, and the length is 25 cm. The shape of the eggplant is cylindrical, and the standard color is dark purple. The “blue ones” of this variety have a very delicate taste and snow-white flesh, for which gardeners love them the most.
In use, this vegetable is also universal: eggplants are good both in canned form and as a snack.
Bushes of the hybrid “Giselle F1” of medium height – up to 120 cm, need to be tied up and shaped.
The first fruits appear already on the 110th day after planting the seeds. Differ in long term of storage and high commodity qualities.
In order for the eggplant harvest to be plentiful, you will have to work hard, following all the recommendations for growing, since the hybrid is quite capricious.
“Alenka”
A very unusual appearance and outstanding taste put the Alenka variety on a par with the best eggplants. The color of ripe fruits is bright green, and the pulp is light green in color, with an unusual mushroom flavor.
You can sow seeds for seedlings of this variety as early as the end of February, because eggplant tolerates low temperatures well. It is rarely necessary to plant plants – 4 pieces per square meter of land, this vegetable does not like thickening. With this planting scheme, the yield of the Alenka variety reaches 7,5 kg per meter.
The fruits have an average size – up to 15 cm, and a fairly decent weight – up to 320 grams. These eggplants with an unusual taste and color are perfectly combined with other varieties of vegetables in various salads and snacks – a bright assortment is obtained.
The growing season of the hybrid is about 107 days, which allows you to grow eggplant “Alenka” even in the northern regions. However, the highest yields can only be achieved in a greenhouse.
“Agate F1”
One of the most famous and high-yielding varieties “Agat” is also very unassuming to the climate.
In the Moscow region, seedlings of this hybrid must be planted in the ground no earlier than mid-May.
Even planting eggplants with seeds is quite possible – they are sown in the ground at the end of May and covered with a film that can be removed after the threat of frost.
Eggplant “Agat” can not be soaked before cooking, the fruits of this variety have a delicate and absolutely not bitter pulp. They are great for canning and cooking second courses.
The appearance of eggplants is standard – dark purple peel, oblong shape and small vegetable sizes (230 grams). The plant is resistant to diseases, but it is better to harvest the entire crop before the first autumn frosts, they are detrimental to the plant. With frequent watering and regular feeding from one meter of land, you can get up to 8 kg of eggplant.
“Albatross”
The mid-season variety brings very high yields – up to 9 kg per meter. Another advantage of eggplant is resistance to the most common diseases: cucumber and tobacco mosaic.
However, the variety is susceptible to infection with other diseases, so the plants need constant care and prevention. It is necessary to sow the seeds of “Albatross” in mid-March, and the first fruits will appear 120 days after that.
On one square meter of soil there should be no more than 3 bushes, the plants are low – up to 70 cm, but sprawling and have many ovaries.
The color of ripe fruits is dark purple, and the flesh of these eggplants is greenish, without a bitter aftertaste. The shape is the main distinguishing feature, it is pear-shaped. The length of the fruits is average – 15-20 cm. The fruits are quite weighty – the average weight is 350 grams.
Only with proper feeding and disease prevention, the harvest of Albatross eggplant will be stable.
“Don Quixote”
An early ripe variety with an interesting name is only suitable for greenhouse cultivation, and it is not so important what kind of greenhouse it will be: heated, unheated or temporary.
It is very easy to recognize the “blue ones” of this variety – the fruits have an unusual elongated and expanding downward shape. Their color is deep purple, and the flesh has a light green tint.
The mass of one eggplant is about 250-300 grams, and the length can reach up to 40 cm.
Eggplants “Don Quixote” have excellent taste qualities, because these “little blue” ones do not have bitterness, and there are practically no seeds in their pulp. Dense and juicy pulp can be used for cooking any dishes, pickling and canning.
The plant is protected from spider mites and gives good yields – up to 9 kg per meter.
“Sancho Panza”
The indispensable companion of Don Quixote is the Sancho Panza variety. The plant is very stable, able to tolerate even low temperatures, so you can grow these eggplants even beyond the Urals, and not just near Moscow. It is great for open ground.
The bushes grow very high – up to 150 cm, and the fruits on them are unusual – dark purple balls. The mass of one such eggplant is 600 grams – they can feed the whole family.
The yield of the variety is high – up to 9 kg per square meter. The plant is resistant to most diseases and does not require special care.
“Romance”
An early ripe variety allows you to enjoy fresh eggplant already on the 110th day after sowing the seeds. The fruits have an unusual color – soft purple, and an elongated oval shape. They are used for cooking any dishes, as well as for conservation.
Bushes grow low – up to one meter. The plant is very capricious, does not tolerate cold and disease. Therefore, it is recommended to grow seedlings “Romance” under a film or in greenhouses. In such conditions, the variety will give a good harvest – from 6 to 8 kg per meter.
Conclusions and recommendations
For the cold suburbs, you need to choose early or mid-season eggplant varieties – only such plants will have time to grow and ripen before the onset of autumn frosts. Each owner should try several varieties and hybrids to determine the best ones. After all, several conditions are important for eggplant, including even the illumination of the site and the composition of the soil on it.
A variety established empirically will bring consistently high yields and delight the owner with ripe fruits until mid-autumn.