When and how to pick eggplant? The answer to this question largely depends on the ripening time of the selected variety. You should also pay special attention to the signs of technical and biological maturity of vegetables. You will learn about this, as well as about the correct storage of the harvested fruits while reading this article.
Ripening dates for eggplants
The growing season of a crop is greatly influenced by the variety to which it belongs. Below are examples of the most popular varieties of each type.
Early ripe
Vegetables can be harvested no later than 100 days after germination.
This includes:
Mid-season
The fruit of this variety takes 100 to 130 days to fully ripen.
Examples of varieties:
Late
Eggplants fully ripen in 130-150 days.
What can be planted:
Signs of ripeness
There are criteria that indicate whether the eggplant is ready for harvest. Below are the features of the 2 main parameters.
Fruit of technical ripeness
Technical ripeness indicates the actual readiness of the fruit for consumption. It does not always coincide with the terms prescribed on the seed package and depends on the conditions for growing the eggplant.
What to look for:
- The size. Corresponds to the declared for the variety.
- Pulp. Dense in structure, light. If bitterness is present in it, this indicates an overripe vegetable.
- Skin. Purple or dark blue, almost black. In some varieties, the skin is light or greenish, so you need to pay special attention to the description. There should be no damage on the surface, it is even and smooth.
Technically, eggplant ripens 2-3 weeks after flowering.
Biological maturity
On this basis, you can understand when vegetables become suitable for obtaining seeds.
How is it determined:
- Skin. It takes on a light brown or yellowish tint.
- Pulp. Loose, after pressing on the vegetable, a dent remains.
- Seeds. They look dark brown or even black.
To get seeds, the most beautiful and largest fruits are left in the garden until the skin dries slightly. Then they are plucked and laid in a cool place for 1-2 weeks, until the seeds are completely ready.
When to pick eggplants in the greenhouse and outdoors?
Harvesting takes place after the onset of technical ripeness.
You should pay attention to the rules:
- Collection procedure. They start with the lower fruits as they take less time to cook. Then go to the top.
- Periodicity. Between harvests, breaks up to 5 days so that the remaining vegetables are fully ripe.
- Timing. It is necessary to harvest within a month after the onset of technical maturity, otherwise the fruits will become suitable only for obtaining seeds.
You need to collect eggplants from open beds before the onset of frost.
How to pick eggplant correctly?
Among the main recommendations:
- Weather. Harvesting is done in dry and sunny weather.
- Instruments. A sharp knife or pruner is used. Plucking the fruit is not recommended.
- Method. Leave about 3-5 cm from the stem.
- Accuracy. Be careful not to damage the eggplants while removing them from the site.
In the video presented, you can watch the correct process of cleaning the blue ones and find out the gardener's tips for storing them:
Harvest storage
For harvesting for the winter, it is recommended to plant late-ripening varieties that are removed from the garden immediately before the onset of cold weather.
Preparation for lying down is as follows:
- Sorting. They choose technically ripe fruits without damage or signs of disease.
- Drying. The vegetables are left in the air for 2-3 days. At the same time, they are covered from the sun.
- Cleaning. Don't wash the eggplant. Only clean it from adhering soil.
Conditions to be observed during storage:
- Temperature. Ideally 3-5 degrees. An indicator not higher than 10 is allowed.
- Humidity. Within 75-85%.
- Premises. Dry and dark.
There are several options to keep the eggplant fresh. Further about the features of each of them.
In the basement or cellar
Vegetables retain their external characteristics and taste for 4-5 months.
You can store it in the following ways:
- On the floor. Cover the surface with a layer of straw. Place the eggplants on top of each other, cuttings down. Cover with bags. After 2 weeks, sort the vegetables and remove the spoiled ones. Wrap each in paper, stack in rows.
- In boxes. Wrap the eggplants in paper, then place them in the boxes with holes for ventilation. Fill the spaces between them with straw or sawdust.
In the apartment
Vegetables can be stored for 1-3 months.
Options:
- Pantry. Store fruits in boxes, first wrapped in 2-3 layers of paper. Eggplants are suitable for consumption within 75 days. Another option is to place the fruits in wooden boxes and cover with ash. Freshness lasts up to 3 months.
- Balcony. Only a glazed loggia will do. Spread the crop over the meshes in 1 layer and secure above the floor. At the optimum temperature, eggplants are stored for about 1.5 months.
In a refrigerator
The fruits can lie on the shelves for only 2 weeks.
What to do:
- wrap the blue ones with paper or put in a bag without tying it;
- put in the vegetable drawer.
If you want to keep it fresh with the freezer, it's best to pre-cook the eggplant.
Fry. Method:
- cut into slices up to 2 cm thick;
- boil in salted water for 5 minutes;
- dry on a napkin;
- fry on 2 sides;
- let cool;
- place in a bag or container;
- freeze.
Cook. How to do:
- cut into cubes;
- soak in salt for 30 minutes;
- boil for 5 minutes in boiling water;
- spread out on the board in 1 layer;
- put it in the refrigerator;
- wait for freezing;
- put in a bag;
- transfer to the freezer.
The crop can remain usable for up to 1 year
Other methods
How else can you save:
- Drying. Eggplant can be stored for about 1 year.
- Conservation. Allows to extend the terms up to 2 years.
Eggplant is harvested before the first frost. The fruits are cleaned of soil, dried and sent to storage in the basement, closet or refrigerator. Under good conditions, vegetables can retain their taste for about 1 year.
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Russia. City: Dimitrovgrad
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