Florida Market Eggplant

Seed Count: Approx. 40 Seeds

Days to Maturity:  85 Days from transplant

Description:  A favorite heirloom variety of eggplant, Florida Market is known for doing remarkably well in the humid southern regions. A little slower to mature than other eggplant varieties, but its flavor can’t be beat! This prolific eggplant was a standard market variety bred in Florida, in the early 1900s for the commercial trade. Vigorous, upright, well-branched plants bear high-quality fruits continuously throughout the season, and its large purple-black pear-shaped eggplants are held high off the ground. Plus, it’s pretty disease and drought resistant.

How To Grow

Sowing:  Places with long growing seasons can direct sow their seeds when the soil reaches 70 degrees F.  However, for short growing seasons, it’s best to start seeds indoors. About 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost, plant the seeds in pots 1/4" deep. Keep them in a sunny window or under a grow light, maintaining a temperature of around 80 degrees. Germination of eggplants can be spotty, and may take several weeks. Keep the seedlings moist, and provide organic matter for the best development. When the average air and soil temp. reach 70 degrees, or about 3 weeks after the last frost, plant seedlings in well drained soil in full sun; for fullest growth, allow each plant 2-3' in all directions. Eggplants also grow very well in containers.

Growing:  Eggplants thrive in the full heat of  the summer; row covers, black plastic, or other methods to conserve heat may be necessary in some climates. If temperatures threaten to fall below 55 degrees F, cover the plants.  Keep the soil evenly moist, and apply fertilizer or organic matter once monthly.  I use a mixture of fox farm big bloom and fish emulsion every month to get loads of flower and fruit development.  Keep in mind that aphids, hornworms, and white fly can be big pests to this plant.

Harvesting:  Florida Market eggplant is known for being especially prolific.  When the skin of an eggplant begins to take on a high gloss, it is nearly ripe. To test for ripeness, press gently on the skin; if the flesh remains indented, it is ready to be harvested. Eggplant reach their best eating quality at about 1/2 their mature size, since over-sized eggplant can turn tough and bitter. For freshest taste, use immediately. If necessary, eggplant can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. If the seeds inside begin to turn brown, this indicates that your eggplant is overripe.