As plants bloom, pick off first few flowers to force the plant to put energy into more fruit. Some gardeners stake eggplant like tomatoes. Watch for signs of flea beetle damage or yellow bottom leaves, which may indicate verticillium wilt. To control beetles, grow plants under a row cover until they bloom. A row cover is lightweight spun-fabric that lets water and light reach plants but warms the soil and keeps out flying insect pests.
Row covers permit a grower to get an early start in spring and to extend the fall season.
For wilt disease, remove entire plant and destroy it to prevent disease spread to other plants. Pick when fruits about 6 inches long and the skin is glossy and firm. When gloss is gone, fruit can be bitter. Cook in favorite dish and freeze. Fruits do not freeze well by themselves.