{"product_id":"eggplant-black-beauty-seeds","title":"Eggplant Black Beauty Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003eEggplant Black Beauty seeds grow the glossy, deep-purple fruits that define classic eggplant. Black Beauty (\u003cem\u003eSolanum melongena\u003c\/em\u003e) is a time-honored heirloom producing large, plump, teardrop-shaped fruits with tender flesh and mild, meaty flavor. Compact, bushy plants yield several sizeable eggplants each, making these eggplant seeds a rewarding centerpiece for the warm-season garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho it's for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIdeal for gardeners with a long, warm summer and cooks who love grilling, roasting, and building dishes like ratatouille, moussaka, and eggplant parmesan.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow \u0026amp; when to plant\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eStart seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost, as eggplant needs a long, warm season. Sow 1\/4 inch deep and keep soil warm at 75–85°F for good germination in 7–14 days. Transplant out only after nights stay above 55°F, spacing plants 18–24 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart, in full sun. Grow as a warm-season annual in USDA zones 5–12, or a short-lived perennial in frost-free zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHarvest\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFruits are ready about 75–80 days after transplant. Pick when the skin is firm, glossy, and deep purple, cutting the stem with pruners rather than pulling. Harvesting young and often keeps the plant productive and the flesh tender.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBenefits \u0026amp; uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlack Beauty is excellent grilled, roasted, breaded, or stewed, and its firm flesh holds up beautifully in hearty dishes. Regular picking encourages a steady supply through the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy start eggplant indoors?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEggplant needs a long warm season, so an early indoor start gives plants time to mature and fruit before fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I know an eggplant is ripe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePick when the skin is glossy and springs back to a gentle press; dull skin means it is overripe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo the plants need support?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHeavy-fruiting plants benefit from a stake or small cage to keep branches from bending or breaking.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Organo Republic","offers":[{"title":"1G","offer_id":45318296764623,"sku":"ORIVEB_09_37","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3G","offer_id":45318296797391,"sku":"ORIVEB_09_38","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/6437\/1919\/files\/15Jk1uXE6QZZzS-V6O3mwZ-7Tl9Tr-_eU_s0.png?v=1782907918","url":"https:\/\/organorepublic.com\/products\/eggplant-black-beauty-seeds","provider":"Organo Republic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}