Growing eggplant can be somewhat difficult, but for the lovers of eggplant parmesan, they can be well worth the trouble. Part of the difficulty in producing healthy eggplant, is the growing season is rather long and should be rather constant. Air and ground temperature are equally important especially to young plants and transplanted seedlings, so starting seedlings inside up to 10 weeks in advance can help insure all frost and chill factors have passed.

The Solanaceae or Nightshade families are one of the most versatile and contain plants from tomatoes to tobacco. Varieties of the peppers and even the old world mandrake plant are a part of this family. One might even conclude that the Nightshade plants can range from tasty to toxic. With such a wide assortment of plants, this family should be researched to find which members will grow and prosper in the amount of growing season available to the gardener.

Eggplants are fussy and want nice warm air, and nice warm soil to grow good quality products. The easiest way to make sure the ground is properly prepared is to cover the soil with black plastic to help hold in the surface heat. Using a raised bed for eggplant is another way to help control the amount of heat within the soil and can be more easily covered and uncovered than a flat area in the garden. They should be started inside up to 10 weeks in advance of the anticipated consistent outside air and soil temperature of 70°F (21°C) and can even be started at a bit warmer inside temperature to help avoid shock during transplanting.

Eggplants do not need to be staked unless they are especially heavy, but sometimes stakes are used to hold a top cover off of the plants while they are being protected from fluctuating soil and air temperatures. If the temperature falls even ten degrees below the ideal temperature, the plants may be stunted, may not produce flowers, or flowers may fall off without producing. Same is true if the plants are covered and the air and ground temperature gets too hot. Raised beds can help control this aspect, and is recommended especially for beginners.

Eggplants do not need to be manually pollinated or left uncovered to be pollinated by bees or other insects. They can pollinate themselves which makes keeping them covered a bit easier on the gardener. If growing eggplant is not successful the first try, wait a year and try again as weather often fluctuates from year to year.