How to grow eggplant in a raised bed

Eggplant loves heat, and a raised bed's soil warms early and drains freely — exactly what these sun-lovers want for a long, glossy-fruited season.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun, 6+ hours
• Spacing: 50 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 12–16 weeks
• Support: a stake for heavy fruit

When to plant: Eggplant is frost-tender and needs warmth — plant from late spring into summer once the soil is warm. In the tropics the window is longer. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing them in a raised bed: Plant into warm, rich mix in the sunniest spot and stake as the fruit sets. Pinch out the first flower to build a stronger plant before it fruits.

Watering and feeding: Water deeply and evenly — uneven watering brings on blossom-end rot. Feed every couple of weeks once fruiting; a food like Dynamic Lifter suits them.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids, the 28-spotted ladybird, fruit fly, two-spotted mite and whiteflies. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main ones are fusarium wilt, blossom-end rot and mosaic virus. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

Companion plants: Basil and beans are good neighbours; keep eggplant away from its relatives if disease has been a problem. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Pick while the skin is glossy and springs back to a gentle press — dull skin means it's over-ripe and bitter. Regular picking keeps the plant producing.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: ROCKY, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.