The Best Eggplant Varieties for the Moscow Region: Growing Tips

Growing methods

Before determining which eggplant varieties are best suited for growing in the Moscow region, it's important to take a closer look at the preferred method. The Moscow region isn't the most favorable for planting eggplant seedlings outdoors. Frosts are common in this area, sometimes even in summer, which guarantees the death of the plants. Furthermore, the temperature fluctuates constantly, creating a stressful microclimate for eggplants. Therefore, experts recommend planting early-ripening varieties, as well as mid-ripening ones, in greenhouses. This allows for consistently high temperatures, controlled humidity, and other factors.

Planting eggplants outdoors is also possible, although it's quite risky. You'll have to manage external factors like frost and temperature fluctuations if you want your seedlings to produce a good harvest. In any case, it is recommended to give preference to early or mid-season eggplant varieties, since late-ripening varieties will be caught by the first autumn frosts.

Video: "The Best Varieties of Eggplant"

From the video you will learn about the best varieties of this vegetable for a particular region.

Selecting a variety

The best eggplant varieties for the Moscow region are early and mid-season. Since you're planning to plant them in the northern region, it's advisable to purchase seedlings of varieties that will bear fruit in midsummer. This will reduce the risk of frost damage to the plants in the garden. These varieties also offer other important advantages. They are prolific, which is a plus for farmers, and they also have good frost resistance. Furthermore, early and mid-season eggplant varieties are much less susceptible to various infections and diseases.

Among the popular eggplant varieties for the Moscow region, universal varieties stand out. Remarkably, they can be grown not only in greenhouses but also in open ground. However, in the latter case, it is recommended to cover the seedlings with transparent film at least at night during the initial growing season.

Giselle F1

Among eggplants for the Moscow region, the best variety is "Giselle." This hybrid is versatile, so it doesn't matter whether you choose to grow it in a greenhouse or a garden. To be fair, while you might harvest, say, 7-9 kg of vegetables per square meter in a garden, the yield in a greenhouse can reach 14 kg. What other characteristics does this variety have?

The plant produces large, dark-purple, cylindrical fruits. But it's not just its appearance and high yield that have made this eggplant variety popular among Russian gardeners. It also boasts excellent flavor and snow-white flesh. Interestingly, this vegetable is versatile in cooking. It can be served as an appetizer, or even pickled and preserved. This variety will become an indispensable addition to your kitchen.

Alenka

The first thing to notice is the skin color. This variety differs from its peers in that it has light green skin. This doesn't affect the taste in any way, and this variety has already found a following among Russian farmers. Despite the difficulty of growing eggplants in the Moscow region, this variety thrives even in open ground. The "Alenka" eggplant is an early-ripening variety. By sowing the seeds in February or March, you'll be harvesting your first crop quite quickly.

This variety is widely used in cooking. It can be used to prepare various dishes and appetizers, and it can also be preserved for the winter. What are the advantages of this early-ripening variety?

• The plant's growing season lasts no more than 108 days. It's safe to say that this crop can be grown not only in the Moscow region but also much further north;
• the fruits have an attractive appearance, and their light green flesh is very tasty;
• There are no spines on the cups.

There are many potential areas for the active cultivation of these eggplants in Russia. However, this crop remains heat-loving and produces a bountiful harvest in greenhouse conditions.

Agate F1

This bush is smaller than the previous varieties, which is probably why its yield is also not very high. Nevertheless, this eggplant variety will thrive in gardens in the Moscow region. Sow seeds directly into open ground, no later than May. Frosts are rare during this period, so you won't have to worry about your eggplants. Some farmers, however, take additional measures to protect the variety: covering the seedlings with transparent film for a while or only at night.

From the bushes, you'll harvest purple, cylindrical fruits that, among other things, differ from their "relatives" in their mild flavor. Moreover, their flesh is white, and their taste is completely devoid of bitterness. As for culinary uses, this eggplant variety is used in dishes and also served canned.

Albatross

Among the eggplants for the Moscow region, a variety called "Albatross" also stands out.

This mid-season eggplant variety will yield a bountiful harvest (up to 9 kg per square meter). In addition to its primary advantages, this variety is also distinguished by its resistance to the most dangerous plant diseases: cucumber and tobacco mosaic.

However, some infections still pose a risk to this variety of eggplant, so if you want to reap a truly bountiful harvest from your garden or greenhouse, it's essential to ensure the fruits and the plant itself are fully protected from any external factors. This variety's growing season lasts approximately 120 days, so it's recommended to sow the seeds in mid-March.

Don Quixote

This variety is primarily suitable for greenhouse cultivation. It doesn't matter whether your greenhouse is heated or unheated. This type of eggplant is always recognizable: it is characterized by an oblong shape, unusually elongated and widened at the bottom.

This vegetable variety is prized for its mild flavor and the small number of seeds in its pulp. Farmers who grow these fruits are sure to be pleased with their characteristics. Furthermore, they are widely used in cooking: for all kinds of dishes, pickles, and preserves, this variety offers the freedom to experiment in the kitchen.

Sancho Panza

The main advantage of this variety is its ability to be grown far beyond the Moscow region, in Russia's northern regions, as this eggplant variety is highly frost-resistant. Open ground is the ideal growing location for this variety.

It has a good yield: up to 9 kg of fruit can be harvested from one square meter. Another significant advantage of this eggplant variety is its remarkable resistance to various diseases. Moreover, the plant does not require excessive care.

Romantic

Early maturity is a key characteristic of this variety. The growing season for these eggplants lasts approximately 110 days. The fruits have an unusual color, dominated by dark purple. They are oval in shape. Culinary uses for this variety are straightforward: it can be preserved and used in various dishes and snacks. However, certain challenges await you during the growing stage.

This plant is demanding and susceptible to various diseases. If you can create the optimal microclimate for this eggplant variety, the yield will ultimately reach 6-8 kg per square meter. In general, once you've determined which varieties are best suited for growing in the Moscow region, you can begin growing them in your own plot or greenhouse.

Video: Growing Eggplants

From the video you will learn how to properly grow this vegetable.