Eggplant, Organic, Purple Long Eggplant, Italian Heirloom~ 300 Vegetable Seeds ! This Italian heirloom eggplant, Long Purple, produces dark purple cucumber-shaped fruit with firm, mild flesh! Tender Annual Purple Long eggplants are a prolific Italian variety. Heavily branched plants typically yield 4 or more dark-purple, cucumber-shaped fruits 8"-10" long. It yields well in northern climates. Originally from Asia, eggplant is a staple of Indian and Asian cuisines. It is grilled, baked, roasted, pickled, mashed, and dried. Soil & Water: Eggplants prefer moderately fertile, well-drained loamy soil supplemented with plenty of added organic matter and a pH of 6.0-6.8. Eggplants require heavy water and warm soil. Planting & Growing: Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Sow seeds directly in a warm climates only. Because eggplants need plenty of water and warm conditions to grow, production accessories such as drip irrigation, plastic mulch, and row covers are a good idea. All eggplants are chill sensitive. Harvesting & Storage: Begin harvesting early when fruits are half their mature size; young fruits are more tender and early picking will increase yields. Cut the fruit from the plant with shears leaving some stem attached. Did You Know? Eggplants are also used as a trap crop for cucumber beetles.