Long Purple Eggplant - Seeds

Long Purple Eggplant - Seeds

$5.80
$5.80
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Long Purple Eggplant - Seeds
  • Long Purple Eggplant - Seeds
  • Long Purple Eggplant - Seeds
  • Long Purple Eggplant - Seeds
Long Purple Eggplant - Seeds

Long Purple Eggplant - Seeds

$5.80
$5.80

Minimum 50 seeds per packet.

Postage included. Bundle to save. Raised from heirloom seed at Turtledove Farm.

Solanum melongena (nightshade)

A prolific Italian heirloom producing long slender purple fruit — firm, mild, and tender. Compact plants (60–90cm) keep producing multiple fruits week after week until the colder weather. The uniform shape makes it ideal for slicing — stir-fries, pasta, baked dishes, or roasted and grilled.

Days to harvest70-80 days
Fruit size20–25cm slender
Sowing depth5mm
Germination7–14 days at 24–32 °C
Spacing50cm apart in rows 80cm apart
AspectFull sun, moist well-drained soil
Frost toleranceFrost sensitive — needs reliably warm nights
LifecyclePerennial in frost-free areas; grown as an annual elsewhere
Container suitableYes

Growing notes

Choose a full-sun spot with shelter from cold winds. Long Purple's compact bushy habit suits garden beds and large pots equally.

Soil preparation: Amend soil with aged compost or well-rotted manure to ensure fertility and drainage; maintain a pH between 5.5 and 6.8.

Support: Light staking helps once the heavy fruit develops — even compact plants can lean under prolific yields.

Watering & feeding: Water deeply to keep soil evenly moist but not soggy; feed with a balanced fertiliser every 2–3 weeks during the growing season.

Harvest: Pick fruit when 20–25cm long and the skin is glossy and firm. Cut with secateurs leaving a short stem attached. Harvest young — overripe fruit develops hard seeds and bitterness.

Timing: Expect first harvest 70–80 days after transplanting. Picking regularly extends production.

Short season tips

Best started indoors on heat mats — eggplants need 24–32 °C heat to germinate. Sow 6–8 weeks before the last frost or purchase as 6–8-week-old seedlings. Transplant into the garden when soil temperature has reliably warmed to at least 15°C (ideally 18°C or above) to avoid plant stalling. Long Purple's earlier maturity and compact habit make it one of the more reliable aubergines for cool inland climates.

Origin

A traditional Italian heirloom long-favoured for its uniform sliceable shape and reliable productivity. Brought to America in the 1870s and grown widely since. Remains a staple in Italian cooking — the eggplant most often pictured in lasagna, parmigiana, and caponata recipes.

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