Aubergine Barbentane

Planting:

Grow the plants by transplanting the plug plants into trays or 8 to 13cm (3 to 5in) diameter pots filled with compost. Place them in a warm and bright location. Water regularly.

Planting in the ground should be done around mid-May or in June, when the risk of frost has passed. Plant the Aubergine in full sun, in a sheltered location. It thrives in well-drained and rich soils. Since Aubergine is a hungry vegetable, it will be necessary to add well-rotted compost the previous autumn. In cooler regions, it is recommended to plant aubergines in a greenhouse.

Soak the root ball in water for a few moments before planting. Space the plants 50 cm (20in) apart in all directions. Dig a hole, insert the root ball, and cover with fine soil. Water generously. At the beginning of the growing season, protect the plants with a mini-tunnel or a frame to gain a few degrees.

Aubergine can also be grown in pots, as long as it is placed in a sunny location. In this case, you can directly install the plug plants in the pot.

Maintenance:

Regularly hoe and weed. Remove suckers that develop at the base of the plant.

Water regularly, making sure not to wet the foliage to prevent the occurrence of fungal diseases such as mildew. Drip irrigation is well suited.

Pruning will be necessary to promote fruit development. In July, cut the main stem above the 2nd flower. Repeat this operation on the new stems that develop. This way, you can expect to harvest an average of 7 to 8 fruits per plant.

Diseases and pests:

Aubergine is susceptible, just like tomatoes, to mildew. This is a fungal disease caused by Phytophthora infestans. Mildew develops in hot and humid weather. Small spots appear, white on the undersides of the leaves and green-grey on top. To reduce the risk, space the plants adequately and avoid watering the foliage. In terms of crop rotation, wait 4 years before growing a plant from the Solanaceae family in the same location and do not grow them in neighbouring rows. If necessary, spray Bordeaux mixture or preparations such as horsetail decoction or garlic spray.

Harvest can also be hindered by the Colorado potato beetle, an insect of the order Coleoptera. You will recognise it by its yellow head and its yellow and black striped body. The best solution, although a bit time-consuming, is to remove them as they appear. As a preventive measure, sow blue flax seeds between your rows of Aubergines. Sow from April to June in shallow furrows. In addition to being repellent to Colorado potato beetles, flax will brighten up your vegetable garden with its pretty little blue flowers.

Finally, you can protect young plants from slugs and snails by placing ash or coffee grounds nearby, to be renewed in case of rain.