{"product_id":"eggplant-black-beauty-seeds-organic","title":"Eggplant - Black Beauty seeds (Organic)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eEggplant Black Beauty (Organic)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSouthern Cross Certified Organic seed (SXC cert 26065)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum melongena\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePacket: 30 seeds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Beauty is the classic large eggplant, producing glossy purple-black fruit around 15 to 20cm on sturdy bushes. The flesh is creamy and mild, and it is the one to grow for moussaka, parmigiana or anything that wants thick slices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSowing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow seeds about 5mm deep in punnets and raise undercover, as eggplant needs real heat to germinate. Germination takes 7 to 14 days at 24 to 32°C. Transplant to 50 to 60cm apart once nights are reliably warm and frost has finished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen to Sow - Australian Climate Zones\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCool \u0026amp; Mountain:\u003c\/strong\u003e Start undercover August to September, plant out November to December\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperate:\u003c\/strong\u003e August to December, raising early seedlings undercover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubtropical:\u003c\/strong\u003e July to January\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTropical:\u003c\/strong\u003e Year-round, best in the dry season (April to August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArid \u0026amp; Semi-arid:\u003c\/strong\u003e August to December\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow in full sun in rich, free draining soil kept evenly moist. Stake the plants, as a bush carrying three or four large fruit will lean badly. Mulch to hold moisture, and feed with a balanced fertiliser once flowering starts. Watch for aphids on the growing tips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHarvest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePick from about 10 to 12 weeks while the skin is still glossy and springs back when pressed. A dull skin means it has gone past its best and the seeds will have hardened. Cut with a short stem, as the calyx is prickly and the fruit does not pull cleanly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Happy Valley Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51178858053944,"sku":"ORVA036","price":3.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/5416\/2522\/files\/eggplant-black-beauty-seeds-organic-7759327.jpg?v=1785234806","url":"https:\/\/www.happyvalleyseeds.com.au\/products\/eggplant-black-beauty-seeds-organic","provider":"Happy Valley Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}