Can you pick eggplant too early
- how big should eggplant be before picking
- how big should japanese eggplant be before picking
- what size should eggplant be before picking
- how long should an eggplant be before picking
How to tell if eggplant is ripe inside.
Glen Chandler
Glen is an exceptional gardener with over 15 years of hands-on experience in garden maintenance, design, and landscaping services. When he’s not working on beautifying a client’s garden, he is busy creating helpful content for this blog.
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Knowing when to pick eggplants can be a bit like playing Goldilocks—not too early, not too ripe, but just right.
I’ve found that timing is critical, as the size, color, and firmness of the fruit are great tell-tale signs. Typically, eggplants are ready to be picked when they grow to their full size, which is specific to the variety you’ve planted.
Eggplant fruit size
This can range from small, round Thai eggplants to the large, oblong types often found in grocery stores.
💥 Quick Answer
You’ll know eggplants are ready to pick when the skin is glossy and the color is deep and uniform, with no discoloration.
It’s also about the feel of the fruit.
When I gently press the skin with my thumb, a ripe eggplant will have a slight give. However, it should still feel firm and spring back rather than
- how big should eggplant be before you pick them
- how big does eggplant get before picking