How far apart to plant eggplant
Virginia Cooperative Extension and Colorado State University Extension set eggplant 18 to 24 inches apart in the row, with rows 30 to 42 inches apart. In a raised bed that works out to 18 to 24 inches each way, and the UC Master Gardeners square foot guide gives each eggplant one full square. Utah State University Extension uses the wide end in both directions: 24 inches in the row and 24 inches between rows.
How many eggplants fit a raised bed
| Bed | 21 in each way (square) | Square foot method (1 per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 4 ft | 4 | 16 |
| 4 × 8 ft | 8 | 32 |
| 3 × 6 ft | 3 | 18 |
| 4 × 12 ft | 12 | 48 |
The calculator starts at 21 inches, the middle of the bed range, in a square pattern, and keeps half a spacing clear along the edges: a 4 ft wide bed takes two plants across, a 3 ft bed only one. The square foot column fills every square to the edge, one plant per foot. That is the tightest figure any of the sources give; the row guides above never go below 18 inches.
In a single row at 21 inches, a 10 ft row holds 5 plants and a 25 ft row holds 14. Switch the calculator to Rows to add the 3 ft between rows and count a whole patch.
How many do you need?
Utah State suggests 1 to 2 plants per person for fresh use, depending on the fruit shape, size and variety. Four plants, the number a 4 × 4 ft bed holds at 21 inches, feed two people at the high end of that range or four at the low end. Eggplant per person works it out for your household, with row length and expected harvest.
Eggplant in containers
Virginia Tech and Colorado State call for a container of at least 5 gallons and 8 inches deep for one eggplant, and Texas A&M AgriLife's container guide (E-545) also lists 5 gallons for one plant. So a 5 gallon bucket holds one eggplant. The University of Maryland suggests more room for large crops such as eggplant: 8 to 10 gallons and 12 to 16 inches deep. Work out the mix for your pots with the potting soil calculator.
Planting depth and timing
Eggplant is grown from transplants. Set them out after frost danger has passed and the soil is at least 60°F (Utah State); eggplant is killed by light frost. Sow the seed ¼ inch deep when you start your own. The start dates for your ZIP code are on the eggplant seed starting page.
When to pick
Utah State picks eggplant when the fruit is full size, glossy and 6 to 8 inches long. Clemson Cooperative Extension gives 65 to 80 days from transplanting to harvest.
Using the calculator
Choose a bed, a row, an area or a container. Pick Triangular (staggered) to fit a few more plants in wide areas, and use the unit toggle for centimetres: 18 to 24 inches is about 46 to 61 cm.