Eggplant Seeds

When to Sow Eggplant Seeds

Eggplants are recommended to be grown between spring and early summer as spring vegetable seed (September to December) in most parts of Australia. This allows the plants to mature during the warmest months, which they love.

However, you can sow them all year round if you live in a warmer region, just as long as you avoid the hottest months! Just remember to avoid peak summer (typically January–February) when extreme heat can stress young plants, which means pollination may be less successful.

Start seeds indoors or in a greenhouse from late winter (August), then transplant when it’s warm enough outside for growth.

How to Grow Eggplant Seeds

Eggplants need warm weather to grow, so if you only have a short growing season, be sure to start your seeds indoors in late winter to have them ready for planting in spring. Then, transplant them outdoors once temperatures are above 18°C and the risk of frost is gone.

Your eggplants will need full sun to be kept warm consistently, so be sure to plant them in just the right spot in your growing space. Eggplants can get a little heavy when they start producing fruit, so you should keep them propped up with a support, such as a stake, as they grow. Head to our gardening tools for garden must haves. 

They will then need sowing in well-drained soil but with regular watering as they produce fruit.

After about 70 days, your eggplants will be ready to pick! You’ll be able to tell when, as they’ll have glossy skin and feel firm.

The Best Companion Plants for Eggplants

At Mr Fothergill's, you can grow a wide variety of eggplant seeds, from the classic Black Beauty to the Long Purple. You can grow an assortment of different eggplant varieties and reap the rewards of a great harvest, though they do even better with a buddy or two! 

Companion planting is the ideal way to keep your garden diverse and allow your different plants to give each other a helping hand. For example, growing bean seeds means that your eggplants will benefit from the extra nitrogen they produce. Not only will sowing some marigold seeds near your eggplants make your garden look spectacular, but they’ll attract pollinators and deter pests too!

Buy Aubergine Seeds From Mr Fothergill’s

Be sure to browse our selection of eggplant seeds from Mr Fothergill’s. Whether you call them eggplant or aubergine seeds, all that matters is that you can grow lovely vegetables that can add some homegrown produce to your cooking. You can buy our quality eggplant seeds online or at all good garden centres and major hardware stores.