Eggplants are one of my favorite vegetables to cook, but I’m not sure if I can grow them in my garden. Can eggplants survive frost? How about overwintering?
In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of growing eggplants from seed and caring for them through the cold months ahead.
Can Eggplants Survive Frost?
Contrary to popular belief, eggplants can survive frost. In fact, eggplants are one of the more frost-tolerant vegetables you can grow in your garden.
You may have heard that eggplants are not cold tolerant, but this isn’t true. Eggplant plants will survive temperatures as low as 28 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 2 degrees Celsius), meaning they can withstand light freezes with no problem.
However, if you live in an area where it gets colder than this during winter (which is likely), your eggplant plants are still susceptible to damage from freezing temperatures and should be covered with blankets or burlap when the temperature falls below freezing outside.
How Tolerant Are Eggplants To Cold Weather
Most eggplants are not cold tolerant. This means that if your eggplant is exposed to cold weather, it will either die or be significantly damaged.
Eggplants are frost hardy, but not frost tolerant, so they only need to survive light frosts in order to stay healthy. If the temperature continues dropping and all of the leaves on your plant turn brown or purple, then you should consider moving it inside until spring arrives!
How To Protect Your Eggplants From Frost
If you need to protect your eggplant plants from frost, here are a few things you can do:
Cover the plants with blankets or sheets. This will help prevent the cold air from damaging their leaves and stems. But make sure that you remove them before the sun comes out if they are covering plants in direct sunlight—the heat could damage them!
Plant your eggplants in containers and bring them indoors when frost is expected. You can also grow them in containers outdoors during the summer months; just bring them inside during winter so that they don’t get hit by freezing temperatures outside.
Covering plants with plastic. This will keep them warm enough to survive a frost—but be careful not to let any moisture build up under there! It’s best if you lay down some burlap first before laying down plastic because this will help keep moisture away from plant stems.
Caring For Eggplants During The Winter
Eggplants are in the same family as tomatoes, peppers and potatoes. They are warm-weather plants that need a lot of heat to grow well. In winter, they may not produce much new growth or set fruit if temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12 C.).
If you want to keep your eggplants healthy, give them plenty of light and water on warm days, but keep them cool at night. This will help prevent the plants from getting too big and becoming top-heavy.
When temperatures get cold, take down your tomato cages and move your eggplants into a sheltered spot such as a porch or greenhouse where they’ll receive more sunlight. A frost blanket can also help keep plants warm.
If you have a greenhouse with a heated frame, place the frame over the plants for extra protection. If you don’t have one available, cover the plants with an old sheet or some other material that will block out wind and cold air.
What Temperatures Will Kill Eggplants?
Eggplant is a delicate vegetable that requires a warm, humid environment to grow. Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C) will kill eggplants. In fact, eggplant doesn’t even like temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 C), which can cause the plant to wilt.
Can I Overwinter Eggplants?
You may have heard that eggplants are hardy plants. They’re not. Eggplants are tropical plants, so they need warm temperatures to grow. If you live in a temperate zone with cold winters, it’s possible to overwinter eggplant varieties from the south but only if you provide them with extra protection. For example, you can wrap them in heavy-duty black plastic sheeting and bury them in the soil so they don’t freeze at night (although this method will require a lot of work).
Alternatively, you could build an unheated greenhouse or hoop house specifically for your eggplants (and other sensitive crops). This will give them shelter from wind and rain while still allowing light through—but make sure not to cover up any vents or windows on the roof because these openings allow moisture out while also keeping heat inside during colder months!
Conclusion
Eggplants are durable crops that can be grown in many climates and conditions. If you’re looking for a plant that can survive frost, eggplant is one of the best options. The best way to protect them from cold weather is by covering them with plastic sheeting or frost blankets before temperatures drop too low. Eggplants are also tolerant of heat, so if your summers get too hot, consider planting an eggplant near your house as an ornamental plant!
