If you tasted your harvest of eggplant and it was not bitter or unpleasant, then perhaps this year you planted a variety that is paler than the one you grew the previous year. Several varieties of eggplant range from white to light purple, including Lavender Touch, Rosa Bianca, and Neon. If you know for sure that variety is not the problem, then consider the growing conditions. Eggplants need a long, sunny, and warm growing season. If your plants were in partial shade, this would delay fruit development. Eggplants prefer a well-drained soil and are heavy feeders. In addition, they should not be planted in an area where relatives (tomatoes, peppers, or potatoes) have been grown in the last three years. If any of these requirements were not met, it would explain poor production. If none of these possibilities ring true for you, then we suggest a soil test of your garden. It's a good idea no matter what, because success in a garden is greatly influenced by the quality (fertility, pH, drainage, etc.) of your soil. Contact your local Extension office for soil testing instructions.

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