Overwintering Eggplants ~ Our Giant Eggplant
Did you see the gigantic eggplant we grew last Summer? The reason this eggplant grew so huge last Summer is because of a process called overwintering. The seed for this singular eggplant was actually sown more than a year earlier and kept alive through the colder Winter months. Here’s what I’ve learned from overwintering eggplants (and other plants) in the garden!
Many plants that are grown as annuals in colder climates can be grown as perennials in mild Winter climates. Moreover, there are even some plants we choose to grow as annuals, due to ease and space, that technically can be perennials—-one case being the tomato. Surprised? Tomatoes can indeed be perennials. Nevertheless, I purposefully choose to grow tomatoes as annuals because they grow so fast from seed and are easily susceptible to a whole host of diseases and pests over time (like my biggest nemesis—spider mites!). It simply hasn’t been worth it for me to grow tomatoes as perennials.
Meanwhile, eggplants have proven to be one of my favorite crops to grow as perennials in my mild Orange County climate. While I’ve overwintered eggplants before, this past Summer was the largest I’ve ever gotten one to grow. In most cases, they don’t grow this big, but they can be equally prolific and long-lasting even if they don’t get as gigantic.
What does it mean to overwinter eggplants?
The process of overwintering is a lot like it sounds. Essentially, you protect and care for the plant through the Winter so that it can burst to life again when it is warmer. Overwintering isn’t just for warm climates either! Gardeners in colder climates can choose to overwinter various plants in greenhouses or indoors if they want to attempt to grow a specific plant as a perennial. It’s actually quite cool to see!
Here’s an example of pepper plants that I have prepared for overwintering. Peppers are an awesome perennial crop that can be overwintered very well. These specific peppers had to be moved (for our backyard redo), so I put them into fabric pots temporarily.
Here in Southern California, overwintering certain plants can happen in a myriad of ways. For instance, you can choose to move your plants to pots and put them in a sheltered area or greenhouse. Alternatively, you can also keep them in the garden—like I did this eggplant— as long as it seems the microclimate will be warm enough. Honestly, you could even cover your plant with frost cloth on cold nights…as you can see, there are options. Either way, the goal for overwintering a plant is to keep it cozy in its dormant state through Winter so it will once again grow when the temperatures get warm enough.
I do want to be clear: overwintering does not mean keeping the eggplant growing in the colder months! While yes, my eggplant did kind of produce and grow well into Winter, that wasn’t my goal. Most perennials need a period of dormancy and/or don’t produce anything very delicious during the off-season anyway. As I’m always saying, most crops taste best and have the highest quality when grown in their ideal season. Yes, I can grow tomatoes in Winter, but they simply don’t taste as good. Therefore, if I’m short on space, I’m not going to prioritize growing tomatoes in my Winter garden.
Meet My Giant, Overwintered Eggplant
This particular eggplant is a variety called ‘Florida Market.’ Again, this is the largest I’ve ever had an eggplant grow, although I have overwintered other eggplants before. ‘Florida market’ produces large, consistent eggplants in a glossy deep purple. As long as you pick them before they get too big and when the skin is still nice and glossy, they are delicious! In fact, I personally am tired of eating eggplants at this point, so it makes me chuckle to think about the three overwintered eggplant bushes currently residing in the garden!
How to Overwinter Eggplant Bushes
Fortunately, I have actual footage of me totally mauling this eggplant in Spring of 2023, so you can see exactly how much I cut it back after Winter and how I amended the raised bed afterwards.
As you can see in the photo below (but feel free to watch the whole bed prep video too), I did a vigorous pruning on this eggplant in Spring. It’s especially important to not prune your eggplant until all threat of frost has past. Eggplant is not frost tolerant (as you might have read in my article on What to Do Before Frost in Southern California), so pruning will spur new growth that will die if temperatures get too low.
After pruning the eggplant you are overwintering, it’s important to top off the bed with compost and some organic vegetable fertilizer to provide some nutrients for the next season. Thankfully, the video reminded me that I topped off this bed with a mixture of compost, pumice, organic vegetable fertilizer. The pumice was simply to correct the drainage/lightness of the soil mixture because it’s a raised bed. I tend to go by feel and amend as I think necessary.
In the past, I’ve overwintered other varieties of eggplants too! Although they have never gotten this big, I did successfully overwinter ‘thai frog egg’ eggplant and ‘galaxy of the stars’ eggplants. For those other plants, I moved them from the raised beds after the Summer growing season, and transplanted them in my backyard landscape. I also followed the same basic process described above. They did great! Personally, I think eggplants look really pretty in the landscape, don’t you?
This is a screenshot from a YouTube video about cleaning and amending this raised bed for Summer. Part of the process was feeding and pruning this ‘Florida Market’ eggplant that I had overwintered. You can see how far I chopped the eggplant back. For more information you can watch that whole video!
Challenges to overwintering eggplant
Despite the blessings that come with a mild winter, there are some major challenges that might arise if you are overwintering your eggplants. First, spider mites! While the cool season is also our wettest season, I have found that spider mites are still a huge issue. Also, spider mites love eggplants! Truthfully, I’ve had luck spraying whole plants with a strong hose spray (both the tops and bottoms of leaves) for a few days to discourage the mites. Obviously, this can set the plant up for other diseases like powdery mildew, but I also see spider mites as almost a death sentence in my garden, so I go to extreme measures! Additionally, you can do your major pruning and trash all the spider mite infected leaves and hope that the new flush is safe and healthy. See, spider mites like to prey on struggling, weak plants which is why overwintered plants can be very susceptible.
The second challenge you will encounter is frost damage or death. As I said before, eggplant is not frost-tolerant. That being said, this is why I wait and do my pruning after all danger of frost has passed. Furthermore, if your eggplant does get light frost damage (you can see mine did in this video), just leave it alone! The foliage will continue to insulate the inner leaves and branches for the rest of the season. Once things warm up again, then you can refresh it! If your eggplant dies due to colder temperatures, well, my condolences my friend.
Lastly, figuring our watering during the Winter can be a little tricky. Technically, the plants are in a dormant stage, so they don’t need as much water—in fact, they could rot! On the other hand, depending on your climate, it could be so dry that the plant will not make it without some supplemental water. In the end, I tend to monitor potted plants by hand (and water them enough so that the stems don’t shrivel and die) but just leave anything in the raised beds alone. As you can see, they can overwinter just fine.
Overwintering Eggplants is Fun
This year I’m also saving myself a lot of seed starting time, resources, and energy by overwintering all my eggplants and the majority of my peppers. Because of that, I don’t have to take the time and space indoors to germinate pepper or eggplants in my seed starting setup! In fact, the plants will even produce earlier because they are so much more mature.
I’d like to end with this: there are many ways to overwinter plants. How to you choose to overwinter eggplants will depend on the resources you have, the microclimates in your yard, and if you have the space to leave something or need to put it in a pot temporarily. If this blogpost inspired you, just give it a try! Remember, that eggplant would have been treated as an annual plant and been disposed of anyway, so it’s really just a fun thing to experiment with.
77 Comments
Submit a Comment
Meet Randi
I am overwintering an eggplant in my raised garden bed. I followed all your advice. I suspect because it’s sunny in Southern California, some leaves started growing days after pruning, which I removed. Returning home after being out of town, several more leaves have grown. Should I just keep removing them until spring?
Hi! That’s great news! I would just leave the eggplant alone. It might grow leaves, but that can actually help protect a bit from frost if we get any. If the leaves get any frost damage, leave them as well and remove them only when it is warm again. Good luck!
Hello there! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
wonderful post.Ne’er knew this, regards for letting me know.
I have been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this website. Reading this info So i am happy to convey that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I such a lot unquestionably will make certain to don’t forget this website and provides it a glance regularly.
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say superb blog!
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later on. All the best
What¦s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & help different customers like its aided me. Great job.
That is very attention-grabbing, You’re an excessively professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and sit up for in search of extra of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
Precisely what I was looking for, appreciate it for putting up.
Simply wanna comment on few general things, The website style and design is perfect, the subject material is very fantastic : D.
Hello! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the great work!
Fantastic site. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you to your effort!
fantastic post, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite experts of this sector don’t understand this. You should proceed your writing. I’m confident, you have a great readers’ base already!
fantastic post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
This blog is definitely rather handy since I’m at the moment creating an internet floral website – although I am only starting out therefore it’s really fairly small, nothing like this site. Can link to a few of the posts here as they are quite. Thanks much. Zoey Olsen
Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
I used to be recommended this web site by means of my cousin. I am not certain whether or not this submit is written by way of him as nobody else recognize such distinctive approximately my problem. You are amazing! Thank you!
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a big portion of people will miss your magnificent writing due to this problem.
Real superb info can be found on blog. “Prayer is the wing wherewith the soul flies to heaven, and meditation the eye wherewith we see God.” by Ambrose of Milan.
I simply wanted to compose a word so as to say thanks to you for these pleasant tricks you are sharing at this website. My prolonged internet research has finally been paid with reputable knowledge to share with my neighbours. I would say that most of us website visitors are really endowed to live in a wonderful place with so many perfect professionals with good ideas. I feel rather blessed to have seen your entire site and look forward to plenty of more fun times reading here. Thank you again for everything.
Great – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, web site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task..
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it improve over time.
I really like examining and I think this website got some really useful stuff on it! .
A powerful share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing somewhat evaluation on this. And he in reality purchased me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I really feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If potential, as you grow to be expertise, would you thoughts updating your weblog with extra details? It’s highly helpful for me. Massive thumb up for this weblog publish!
What¦s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & help other users like its helped me. Good job.
The Pink Salt Trick is a minimalist but effective morning routine: Just drink a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt as soon as you wake up.
Very interesting topic, thanks for posting.
The Pink Salt Trick is a minimalist but effective morning routine: Just drink a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt as soon as you wake up.
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
The Pink Salt Trick is a minimalist but effective morning routine: Just drink a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt as soon as you wake up.
My brother recommended I might like this website. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
The Pink Salt Trick is a minimalist but effective morning routine: Just drink a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt as soon as you wake up.
The Pink Salt Trick is a minimalist but effective morning routine: Just drink a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt as soon as you wake up.
Some genuinely fantastic work on behalf of the owner of this web site, absolutely outstanding content material.
Together with almost everything that seems to be building within this particular subject material, all your opinions happen to be rather stimulating. However, I appologize, but I can not subscribe to your whole idea, all be it radical none the less. It looks to everyone that your comments are not completely justified and in fact you are generally your self not fully certain of your point. In any event I did appreciate examining it.
I’ve read a few just right stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot attempt you put to create this sort of magnificent informative site.
I am always browsing online for articles that can benefit me. Thank you!
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this info for my mission.
Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa? My website goes over a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Awesome blog by the way!
I just could not depart your website prior to suggesting that I really loved the standard info an individual provide for your guests? Is going to be again ceaselessly in order to check up on new posts.
I like this blog very much, Its a real nice situation to read and receive information.
A lot of thanks for your entire efforts on this website. My niece enjoys doing research and it’s easy to see why. My partner and i know all of the powerful way you make invaluable strategies via your web site and therefore improve participation from other ones on that theme and our own princess is undoubtedly understanding a lot of things. Take pleasure in the rest of the new year. You are always carrying out a really great job.
Thank you, I’ve just been searching for info about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have discovered till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
Pretty component of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to claim that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds or even I achievement you get admission to constantly quickly.
Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Excellent. I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your effort.
I am glad to be one of several visitors on this outstanding website (:, appreciate it for putting up.
As a Newbie, I am permanently searching online for articles that can aid me. Thank you
Hiya! I simply would like to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice information you have right here on this post. I will likely be coming again to your weblog for more soon.
Hi my family member! I wish to say that this article is awesome, great written and come with almost all important infos. I would like to peer extra posts like this .
I am glad to be a visitor of this double dyed web blog! , thanks for this rare info ! .
With almost everything that appears to be building within this particular area, all your points of view tend to be relatively stimulating. Nonetheless, I beg your pardon, but I do not subscribe to your whole plan, all be it refreshing none the less. It appears to us that your commentary are actually not totally justified and in fact you are yourself not really entirely confident of the assertion. In any event I did appreciate looking at it.
We’re a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable information to paintings on. You have performed a formidable process and our entire community can be thankful to you.
I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this site. Thank you, I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?
Some truly wonderful information, Sword lily I found this. “The world is the sum-total of our vital possibilities.” by Jose Ortega y Gasset.
I was suggested this blog via my cousin. I am no longer positive whether this post is written by way of him as nobody else recognise such distinct about my problem. You’re wonderful! Thank you!
Great post and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is really the best place to ask but do you people have any thoughts on where to hire some professional writers? Thanks in advance 🙂
I respect your piece of work, regards for all the useful blog posts.
Hello my loved one! I want to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include almost all vital infos. I would like to look more posts like this.
Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My website covers a lot of the same subjects as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other. If you might be interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the way!
Spot on with this write-up, I truly assume this website wants much more consideration. I’ll in all probability be once more to read way more, thanks for that info.
I really like your writing style, good information, thanks for posting : D.
F*ckin’ amazing issues here. I’m very satisfied to look your article. Thanks so much and i am having a look ahead to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
Hello. remarkable job. I did not expect this. This is a impressive story. Thanks!
You are a very intelligent person!
Wow! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Great choice of colors!
I am really impressed with your writing talents as neatly as with the format for your blog. Is that this a paid topic or did you modify it your self? Anyway stay up the nice high quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a nice weblog like this one nowadays..
It’s the laughter that is the first, and sometimes last, line of defense against tyranny. — Toni @ comedywriter.info
It’s the acceptable way to be a cynic, to point out the flaws without being a bore. — Toni @ comedywriter.info
The following time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I imply, I do know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have one thing interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you can repair in the event you werent too busy on the lookout for attention.
Hey! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
certainly like your web site but you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very bothersome to inform the truth then again I will certainly come again again.
Regards for helping out, excellent information.