Eggplant

Basic Information

Seed Number

166

Seed Name

Eggplant

Variety

Long purple

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Italian-type eggplant (Solanum melongena)

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Feb 24

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

February, March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Feb 24 – Mar 10

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

10 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

7–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

70–80 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

75-90°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

18-24 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

About 1-2 in/week; maintain even moisture during flowering and fruit development

Soil Preference

Rich, fertile, well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

5 gal

Plant Height

Not recorded

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Ferry-Morse; Burpee; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jun 10
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 70–80 days from transplant
Container Friendly: Yes, 5+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Somewhat; flowers self-pollinate but bees can improve fruit set
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary vegetable
Perennial?: Tender perennial; grown as an annual in Zone 6B
Succession / Reusable Notes: One early indoor sowing; harvest fruit regularly to encourage continued production.
Zone 6B Notes: Use warm soil and wait until nights are reliably mild before transplanting.
Companion Plants: Basil, peppers, beans, lettuce, marigolds
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Flea beetles can damage young plants. Rotate away from other nightshades; eggplant dislikes cold nights.
Sources: Ferry-Morse: https://ferrymorse.com/products/organic-eggplant-long-purple-early | Burpee: https://www.burpee.com/eggplant-long-purple-organic-prod000710.html | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors about 8-10 weeks before May 5. Transplant only after frost when soil has warmed to at least 60°F and nights are consistently mild.
Germination: Provide steady warmth for germination. Eggplant seedlings grow slowly compared with tomatoes and benefit from an early indoor start.
Harvest: Harvest elongated purple fruits while skins remain glossy and flesh is firm. Fruit becomes seedy and bitter if allowed to become overmature.
Seed Saving: Allow seed fruit to mature well beyond eating stage before extracting and cleaning seed. Eggplants are primarily self-pollinating but some insect-mediated crossing can occur.
Special Care: Long Purple is a traditional elongated purple eggplant. Cutting rather than pulling fruit prevents damage to stems.
Research Source: Urban Farmer — https://www.ufseeds.com/product/long-purple-eggplant-seeds---1-ounce/EGLP-1-ounce.html — Long Purple identity, approximately 70-day maturity, 1/4-inch sowing depth, 24-inch spacing, 2-3 foot row spacing, 60°F transplant soil temperature and 1-2 inch weekly watering
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]