Any advice for Black Beauty Eggplant?

15 years ago

My eggplant seeds are coming up, and from what I have read, they can be grown in Maine, but I may need to grow them in pots so as to take them indoors for the chilly nights.

Has anyone grown Black Beauty or other eggplants successfully in Maine? How did you do it?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

adirondackgardener
15 years ago
Yep. I grew them here last year in my first Maine garden and I grew them back in the Adirondacks (Lake Placid area) for years in temperatures somewhat colder than here in Oxford County.

The trick is to grow them under plastic in the early part of the season and cover them again around Labor Day. I build small wooden A frames across the bed and cover it with plastic. Attach the plastic in a way that it will be easy to open up the "tent" early in the day so they don't cook and close them up again as the sun begins to set. A whole lot easier than carrying pots indoors.

I've set plants out as early as May 9th under plastic and had them still ripening in late October. (With a Sept 10th frost date.)

Wayne
megmaine
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks! I really appreciate that... maybe I will put them in the place where the hardy mums are, as that's about the only place I get full sun all day without being shaded in late afternoon by tall houses right next to us, and that's a "hot area" that already has had crocus up for a week now, and daffodils are 5 inches out of the ground. Hate to uproot the hardy mums, because they have done so well there and are so big and beautiful, but maybe they would transplant? Can't waste such a prime hot spot on anything less than peppers and eggplant this year. :)
Related Discussions
Eggplant lovers, your most productive eggplant(s)
Q
Comments (35)
😊 I only use the eggplant to make Mediterranean dishes ( you probably havn’t heard or seen) one dish is made with roasted eggplant on fire then mashed and sautéed with garlic, turmeric, tomatoes and eggs, has a smoky flavor and aroma to it. ( another dish is with sauted eggplants cooked with lots of garlic, tomatoes, dried mint, turmeric and a dairy product called Kashk. Also eggplant stew with lamb...all are very delicious. I’m more used to cooking with the long skinnier eggplants ( less seeds).
...See More
Black Beauty eggplant too heavy (stem split)
Q
Comments (9)
I mentioned a fat tan beetle with dark stripes earlier. I found some pics online and it was either a colorado potato beetle or a false one. The wikipedia page says they also like tomatoes and eggplants: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_potato_beetle I think the green frog changed into a gray frog later in the day. Either that or there is more than one frog on the plant. Thanks Dave, I'll know how the eggplant tastes tomorrow evening (my wife has eggplant parmigiana on the menu). The black beauty was still shiny when I picked it so I guess it still wasn't fully ripened yet. I'll probably pick another one tomorrow which is a pretty good size and do a taste test. There are still a bunch of black beauties of different size on the plant so we're not worried about increasing production, but we'll pick early if there is a big difference in taste. Keep up the faith fauzie, give your baby time and I'm sure she'll grow. I've been adding some soluble fertilizer in the watering can every couple of days to make sure the fruit have enough nutrients to grow well too.
...See More
black beauty eggplant
Q
Comments (6)
Eggplant are best when unripe. You should pick them while they're still glossy. Once they start to lose the gloss and turn a bit more dull and matte, they're ripe and are going to be a bit seedy and probably a little bitter. Yours is probably ripe and past peak. I find they still work really well in pasta sauces, less good for a straight forward saute. Shape can be variable. That's totally normal.
...See More
Any ideas for recipes I can freeze with eggplant
Q
Comments (13)
Ra Ra! Moussaka, this is lush and freezes well, there is no hard and fast with this but the egg plant holds up well, If I have spare, I just do as I do, for a moussaka which is coat in olive all and bake for about 20 mins. I did some hunting for moussaka recipes on the net and they all seemed very long and involved and contained 2 much eggplant for my taste, but remember that is my taste! so here is mine and remember you can double up. 1 LB mince beef (should be lamb!!) but beef is a good substitute 1 med yellow Onion chopped 3 Garlic cloves or teaspoons of garlic paste (I like garlic) Couple of liberal teaspoons of dried italian herb mix or whatever you fancy from the garden. bit of salt if you want, I don't bother black pepper 2 or 3 generous twists. 1 28 oz tin of toms, doesn't matter what type, if whole just smash them up a bit in the pan, or you can use fresh or frozen really not an issue. make up as you would a meat spaghetti sauce. 1 med Eggplant, sliced and cooked in olive oil, in the oven til soft 2 med pots sliced and nearly cooked by boiling (leave these out if you can't be bothered, I just like it) layer, meat sauce, Egg plant, pots, in whatever order you fancy, I normally do a bit of meat first. cheese layer, either 3 cups of, half and half, thick cream, whatever cream! or plain yogurt whatever you have around. nutmeg if you have it, if not no worries. 3 eggs beaten into the cream/yogurt. 1/2 cup of Parmesan, or really any cheese you have lying round but just increase the amount as not as strong, I have been known to just make the sauce without cheese and thrown a slice of mozzarella on the top, bake at 350, until done as in hot thorough out and top nice and brown! if freezing leave out the cooking stage til you need to eat it. I know its fairly wishy washy, but I don't have time to fanny about on complicated recipes that call for ingredient, that I wouldn't use for anything else. I am keen to try ksrogers idea, and I also like coffehaus one and have made something similar to it in the past, and it was really good
...See More
lotsa_rocks
15 years ago
Last year I had success with eggplant starts I bought at the nursery. I put them out at the same time as my tomato plants (late May) and they produced like crazy until frost. They were the long skinny type though, sounds like the big ones require a longer season. As for the hardy mums, I inherited a huge patch with my house and have moved them with abandon the last couple years in spring - they don't skip a beat. I keep them well watered for the first couple of weeks, but after that they thrive on their own. They're pretty tough.
veilchen
15 years ago
I grow them every year with great success, although I am a solid zone 5b. I think a lot depends on the variety. 'Black Beauty' is the typical large purple Italian-type like you get in the supermarkets and has a long days-to-maturity time. I've been growing the Asian kinds like 'Neon' and 'Ichiban' -they are skinnier than the typical Black Beauty but if sliced on the diaganol you can do anything with them. Last year I tried 'Dusky' which resembles the dark purple Italian types, but it was by far the earliest and most prolific yet of any eggplants I have grown, and is shaped more traditionally like the fat Italian eggplants.

Related Stories

FARM YOUR YARD Advice on Canyon Farming From L.A.'s Vegetable Whisperer

By Annie Thornton

See how a screened garden house and raised beds help an edible garden in a Los Angeles canyon thrive

Full Story

PURPLE Eggplant Purple Makes Rooms Rich

By Samantha Schoech

Eggplant purple on walls or furniture offers a rewarding payoff: confident, luxurious rooms in homes from traditional to modern

Full Story

LIFE Edit Your Photo Collection and Display It Best — a Designer's Advice

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Learn why formal shots may make better album fodder, unexpected display spaces are sometimes spot-on and much more

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES Decorating Advice to Steal From Your Suit

By Sophie Seeger

Create a look of confidence that’s tailor made to fit your style by following these 7 key tips

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Design Tips Learned From the Worst Advice Ever

By Mitchell Parker

If these Houzzers’ tales don’t bolster the courage of your design convictions, nothing will

Full Story

244

KITCHEN DESIGN Smart Investments in Kitchen Cabinetry — a Realtor's Advice

By Tiffany Carboni

Get expert info on what cabinet features are worth the money, for both you and potential buyers of your home

Full Story

126

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor Tips: Advice for Laundry Room Design

By Buckminster Green LLC

Thinking ahead when installing or moving a washer and dryer can prevent frustration and damage down the road

Full Story

TASTEMAKERS Book to Know: Design Advice in Greg Natale’s ‘The Tailored Interior’

By Grace Chamia

The interior designer shares the 9 steps he uses to create cohesive, pleasing rooms

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES Quick Update: Beautiful Black Lampshades

By Jen L'Italien

Add instant chic or grounding color with a black shade on table lamp, pendant or chandelier

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Wonderfully Easy Roses for Any Gardener

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Look like an expert even if you're just starting out, with these low-maintenance gems of the rose world

Full Story

Any advice for Black Beauty Eggplant?

Comments (4)

adirondackgardener

megmaine
Original Author

Related Discussions

lotsa_rocks

veilchen

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Any advice for Black Beauty Eggplant?

Comments (4)

adirondackgardener

megmaineOriginal Author

Related Discussions

lotsa_rocks

veilchen

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

megmaine
Original Author