Florida High Bush Eggplant

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. Disease- and drought-resistant.

• 75-85 days from transplant
• ±6,700 seeds/oz
• Conventional
• Well-branched plants bear fruit high off the ground
• Pear shaped fruit with purple-black skin
• Disease and drought resistant

This variety works for:

• Roasting
• Baking
• Grilling
• Stewing

To help the flesh of eggplant fruits hold up in dishes, roast it slightly before adding any sauces.

Some varieties of heirloom eggplant benefit from slicing the fruit ad then salting, rinsing, and draining the water that emerges from the flesh. It is thought to remove bitter flavors and reduce the amount of oil or fat taken up by the fruit when it is cooked.

Eggplant is sometimes used as a meat substitute because of its texture and rich, complex flavor. It is very popular in Indian dishes such as Baingan bharta an in French dishes like ratatouille.

Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Transplant outdoors once danger of frost has passed and soil is warm. Using landscape fabric or black plastic can accelerate growth and productivity in cooler climates.

• Start Indoors: 8 weeks before last frost
• Germination: 14 Days
• Plant Outdoors: 18-24” Apart
• Light: Full Sun