Senga's Blog
Eco-chic Outdoor Living & Exterior Design
Mar. 23/10 Year in Sustainable Garden: The Planning Stage: Eggplant 'Fairytale'
This Edible Does Double Duty
This eggplant is as beautiful as it is delicious. Now you can grow the loveliest most tender-sweet fruits right on your patio and out of containers. This edible is handsome enough for your flower beds as wells as ornamental containers (think hanging baskets, accent pots) but you can also eat and harvest the yummy fruits almost non-stop. This award winning (2005 All-America selection) is revolutionary for its habit look and best of all flavour!
As per my previous blog on eggplants my first encounter with this fruit came much later in life and via grilled on a BBQ. But this cultivar of eggplant differs greatly from the huge behemoths we are all used to as the fruits top out at 4 inches and the flesh is sweet and tender, no bitterness here. Instead of diligently preparing traditional sized eggplants with a salt concoction (to draw out the bitterness) this fruits.
And Healthy For You Too!
• The skin of eggplant contains a phytonutrient that helps protect the lipids (fats) in brain cell membranes.
• Eggplant is a rich source of phenolic compounds an antioxidant that can help prevent cancer, cholesterol build-up and bacterial and viral infection.
• Eggplant has a high fiber content which can prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, and colitis.
• Eggplant is naturally low in calories and has no fat. A cup has only 38 calories.
• Lowers cholesterol by preventing its absorption in the intestines.
• Eggplant can help in cases of stomach ulcers
• It can help in various nervous conditions.
• Eggplant contains a large amount of water. It is good for balancing diets that are heavy in protein and starches.
Information About Eggplant 'Fairytale' You Need to Know
Botanical name: Solanum melogena ‘Fairytale’
Country of Origin: Historically Eggplant Originated in China
Description: A unique eggplant variety that has pretty waves of lavender fruit with white streaking and white flesh that grows in clusters of 3 to 5. Plants are compact at 18-24” tall.
Best harvested: Pick fruit on the small side about 4” and while skin is still shiny.
Time to Sow Seeds: Early Spring – March 1 indoors (4 - 8 weeks before last spring frost and or when soil warms),
Where Grow: Start indoors in peat pots (roots hate to be disturbed) and transplant to prepared bed with well rotted compost/manure in full sun. Pants are vulnerable to cold therefore protect plants from late frosts under cloches.
Where to Sow and Grow: Transplant to prepared bed with well rotted compost/manure in full sun. I will be putting my edibles on containers as edible ornamentals.
Maturity: 60+/- Days from Seed
Tip: Keep well watered especially as fruits are developing. Plants are heavy feeders fertilize biweekly. Eggplant grows best if transplanted when plants have 6-9 leaves and a well developed root system. Starting plants indoors ensures you will have a crop as Eggplant needs warm temperatures and long growing season for fruit to mature.
Taste: Sweet, bitter-free flavour, with fewer seeds.
Uses: Baked casseroles with other vegetables, in stir fries, roasted, grilled on the barbecue, and in pasta dishes
Place in Square Foot Garden: In my containers on the edible green roof.
Companion Plants: Amaranth, Beans, Peas, Spinach, Tarragon, Thyme
