my black beauty egg plants are full but i dont know how to tell when i should pick them. should i wait till they pull off easily? is there some way to tell? this is my first time with these. thanks
egg plant ripeness question
The last thing you want is a ripe eggplant, unless you are saving seeds. They can be picked anytime you consider them big enough, BUT before they began to lose their gloss. As they ripen they will get dull in color and gradually turn a browish yellow. Eggplants are eaten immature like cucumbers and summer squash.
i did not know that. thank you so much. this is so new to me but so much fun ! i love picking and cooking what i grow. just am very uncertain about when to pick what. my only regret is waiting till now to do this.
kc
Pick em when they are shiney. The more dull they get, the more bitter they get...
Pick eggplants when they are young and tender. But be careful picking, because the stems can be rather tough, and if you are not careful, you may damage the plant, or even pull it up, trying to pull the fruit from the plant. To pick my eggplant, I use a pair of hand pruners, the kind you prune small branches with, and just snip them off the plant. It is very easy, and no damage to the plant.
so good to know. i thought because they didnt come off easily they werent ready to be picked.
Glad I could help. I learned the hard way, after damaging a couple of plants. And the pruners are a lot safer than a knife.
Post a Reply to this Thread
More Beginner Gardening Threads
-
Curling leaves, stunted growth of Impatiens
started by DeniseCT
last post by DeniseCTJan 26, 20261Jan 26, 2026 -
White fuzzy stems
started by joelcoqui
last post by joelcoquiJan 29, 20263Jan 29, 2026 -
What is this alien growth in my bed
started by joelcoqui
last post by joelcoquiOct 15, 20254Oct 15, 2025 -
Jobe\'s Fertilizer Spikes
started by Wally12
last post by Wally12Apr 02, 20262Apr 02, 2026 -
citrus reticulata tangerine somewhat hardy
started by drakekoefoed
last post by drakekoefoedApr 01, 20261Apr 01, 2026