Aswad Eggplant – MIg

Description

Aswad Eggplant is a traditional Middle Eastern heirloom variety prized for its glossy, deep purple to nearly black fruits, tender creamy flesh, and rich, mild flavor. The medium to large fruits are excellent for grilling, roasting, frying, stuffing, curries, and traditional Middle Eastern dishes such as baba ghanoush. This vigorous, high-yielding variety thrives in warm weather and performs exceptionally well in the UAE.

When to Plant in the UAE

• Indoors: Start seeds indoors in July.
• Outdoors: Transplant seedlings or direct sow from October through March, when temperatures are warm.

Planting & Care Tips

• Light & Soil: Plant in full sun in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost.
• Depth & Germination: Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep. Germination typically occurs within 7–14 days in warm soil.
• Spacing: Space plants 45–60 cm apart, with 60–90 cm between rows.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruit development, but avoid waterlogged conditions.
• Feeding: Apply compost before planting and feed with a balanced fertilizer every 3–4 weeks. Increase potassium once flowering begins to encourage abundant fruit production.
• Harvest: Fruits are ready to harvest in approximately 75–90 days, when they are glossy, firm, and fully developed.
• Harvesting Tips: Harvest fruits regularly using clean pruners, leaving a short section of stem attached to encourage continued production.