Eggplant offers variety of options
One of my favorite plants to grow is eggplant. Not only are they incredibly beautiful, they are also incredibly versatile and nutritious. High in fiber, chock full of Vitamin C, B1, B6, K, and a source of copper, magnesium, manganese, niacin and potassium.
Eggplants come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Japanese and Chinese varieties are usually long and narrow and can be lavender to deep, dark purple. Indian (sometimes called baby eggplant because they are so small) are reddish purple and are great in curry, stuffed or roasted. Some Thai eggplant are actually green when ripe. ‘Fairy Tale’ are very small, can fit in the palm of your hand and are a beautiful purple and white striped. They are very tender and great for grilling. ‘Little Green’ has pale-green skin and is mild and very creamy when cooked.
Eggplant are easy to grow, even in containers. They grow best in a warm, sunny location with at least six or more hours of direct sunlight. They should be spaced about 24-36 inches apart.
They are upright growers, but will need support once they start fruiting to hold all the weight of the abundant fruit. When planting, mix in a good organic compost and some slow release fertilizer. With proper care and feeding, many varieties will keep producing
well into the winter months. I have often served them with my Thanksgiving dinner.
This month in your garden
Check irrigation and mulch if you haven’t already inspected your irrigation system or put down that very important layer of mulch, it’s not too late. Do to it before the summer heat sets in.
Deadhead roses, salvias, dahlias, to encourage continual blooming. Remove spent buds from camellias, rhododendrons, and azaleas.
Control earwigs, which feed on soft plants and can cause significant damage. Trap them by setting out moistened, tightly rolled newspaper at night and then discard it in the morning.
Fire Blight shows up in the spring. It causes blackened branches and twigs that look like they have been scorched. It often affects fruit trees such as apple, pear loquat, and quince; as well as toyons, hawthorns and crabapples. It is spread by insects, rain and pruning; if left unattended it can kill the tree. Prune the infected branch about 8-12 inches below the visible damage.
Prune suckers from rose bushes. It can be difficult to tell the difference between suckers and basal canes. They both shoot straight up with vigorous growth. Suckers grow from below the bud union, basal canes originate at the bud union and should be left on. They are the best wood on the plant.
Plant this month
• By seed: Arugula, beans, beets, Brussels sprouts, corn, cucumber, melons, summer and winter squash.
• By transplant: arugula, basil, beans, beets, corn, cucumber, eggplant, melons, mint, peppers, summer and winter squash and tomatoes. Local nurseries should have a good supply of most of these.
Give back
Too much fruit? If you have an abundance of fruit and have already “over-shared” with you neighbors; contact Village Harvest. They offer volunteers that will pick your fruit and then donate it to a worthy food bank: villageharvest.org.