Classic dark purple to black fruits are large with meaty flesh, great for any eggplant dish or the grill. Bushy plants produce multiple fruits. Farm favorite for productivity and taste! We were introduced to eggplant parmesan this year. Words fail to describe how good this dish is and how perfect black beauties are for creating it!

Start these 6-8 weeks before the last frost date indoors or in a greenhouse. This family of plants need soil temps of 60-85 F to germinate. They will really pop out of the ground around 75-80 F. If your home is not that warm consider using a heat mat with thermostat. This provides bottom heat which improves germination.

Source a quality potting or seeding soil mix. Bury small seeds by about 1/8 inch and keep moist. Seedlings will need direct light as soon as they germinate or will become leggy and weak. Depending on how big your initial container is you may need to pot them up before putting into garden beds. Transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed at about 2 ft spacing.