I think that's a fine idea. I grow my eggplant in pots these days because I don't wanna fight the flea beetles, they love eggplant and they always tear it up when I plant it out. Just remember they're heavy feeders though.

This is my 2nd year with eggplant. Last year I planted outside after I began growing it from seed and in a Eastsouth window and it just sat there. It didn't even seem to grow.

This year I started Eggplant and Tomatoes from seed under florescent shop lights in the middle of January. Then I invested in a 430 watt mercury-sodium light bulb set up. I grew them under lights unless the Temp is under 60. If the temp is forcasted to be 55-60 I have transplanted them into 12 inch deep pots. Are they like tomatoes and like to have their lower leaves covered? That is -- do they start roots up on the stem?

I have heard of Eggplant living for 5 years plus.

Good Luck.

Paul

Hi,
I tried eggplants in big clay pots on my deck a couple years ago. I got a couple small fruits but wasn't too impressed. (That has to be considerd in the context of my lack of success with growing high-feeder vegies in pots -- too easy to forget and not water or firtilize.)

My best eggplant year was last year when I grew Slim Jims in my hoop house beds (with the plastic removed for summer). Seems the 5' stone retaining wall on the north side of the beds creates a nice little micro-climate. This year I've planted peppers, eggplants, okra and melons there and so far they're looking real good.

Today being the 8th day for my eggplants in the coldframe I am extremely happy the way they look. They are continuing to grow and look very healthy and happy. I've got sweet basil, sweet green and red peppers in there with them and they are all doing well. I mixed pro mix 3 to l with compost. Anybody got any suggestions on when and how often to fertilize the eggplants? I was thinking about a weekly shot of liquid fish emulsion just because I've got it handy and use it quite a bit on other veggies. Thanks

Last year the flea beetles just about ruined my eggplant crop. This year I set out my seedlings in a raised bed and covered tightly with a row cover. Took the row cover off about June 25 and have about 40 of the most beautiful eggplants I've ever seen -- almost no holes in the leaves!