Gardening with Gael: Eggplants an accidental success

31 Jan, 2022

My eggplants/aubergines are swelling like elongated ticks. This is my first go at growing them and I have inadvertently done exactly the right things for success. Even the decision to grow them was quite spontaneous.

“Rowie will not be at the market” texted her daughter-in-law Jess “but I am delivering on her behalf. Is there anything you need?” I decided immediately that I needed tomatoes and aubergines. The aubergines I thought could fill a gap in my first terrace. We collected rotted grass clipping to mix with the sand and put in the bottom of the hole. Aubergines, I discover, love some compost when planted.

I bought six Black King and two Early Prolific. The Black King have a pale green leaf and the fruit/vegetable is round. They have proved much slower growing and the aubergines are forming now. One has been big enough to pick.

The Early Prolific have lived up to their name. Early and prolific. I have counted 20 aubergines forming on one of the plants. So far I have picked five. I am particularly excited about them. They have very attractive purple/green leaves.

Subsequent to the original planting, the plants have been deep watered once a week and from time to time given some worm wee from the excessive production of the worms in my Hungry Bin. These worms are amazing. I have given thousands away and still they multiply, at present enjoying the skins of the water melons and providing us with heaps of wee.

Researching the requirements of aubergines I am delighted to find they are enjoying perfect growing conditions. Fertile, free-draining sandy soils are best. Mine is beyond sandy. It is pure sand. The bucketloads of rotted grass clippings add the fertile bit. Frost tender, they prefer an open sunny location well after frosts have passed. I planted these in November. The plants were healthy and well grown and it was only a couple of months before the shiny black aubergines began to form. The long hot summers we now experience are perfect for them.

Aubergines originated in India and are part of the nightshade family. This also includes tomatoes and potatoes. They are rich in fibre, and have some iron, potassium and protein, ideal for a plant-friendly diet.

Last week’s tip suggested watering less often and more deeply. Save the shower water, the sink water, whatever you can, and water the plants once a week. I have done that with these plants. When adding worm wee, dilute to ten to one. It should be the colour of weak tea. Keep well weeded. The down side of grass clippings is the tendency to sprout a bit of kikuyu. This should be dealt with immediately before it re-establishes itself. In dry weather particularly it is

important to keep the ground clear of weeds which will compete with plants for nutrients and water.

We grew to love the flavour of aubergines when we lived in Greece. Roasted, grilled, fried, mashed, stuffed; the numbers my plants are producing will ensure we can try them every way. My favourite is cut thinly, dipped in Panko breadcrumbs and fried. Served with tzatziki (yoghurt, garlic, lemon , dill and grated cucumber) and some sliced tomatoes, perhaps a few roast potatoes, and the whole family is covered.

So far I have picked five Early Prolific variety. I am particularly excited about them. PHOTO/SUPPLIED