{"title":"Eggplants","description":"\u003cp\u003eEggplants are a versatile \u0026amp; easy to grow veggie to consider growing in your home garden if you have the space for it. Because eggplants love the humidity so much they tend to grow and grow, sometimes becoming the size of a large shrub, so make sure if you're planting one in your raised bed you have about 2 square feet per plant for it to mature properly. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAll of our plants are grown in OMRI certified Organic materials (potting mix, fertilizer, seeds, etc.) and include Organic granular fertilizer, living locally-made compost, and have been cared for with healthy microorganisms from compost tea and microbial inoculants. We only use organic pesticides when needed. We only stock varieties that we have experience growing and that are season and climate appropriate for South Florida. Our curated inventory is simple enough for a beginner and interesting enough to keep an advanced gardeners attention, with new and rare varieties being added weekly. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ping-tung-eggplant","title":"Ping Tung Eggplant","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePing Tung Eggplant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSolanum Melongena\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edays to maturity: 70 days\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eplant spacing: 2 Square Feet per plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003esunlight requirement: 8 - 14 Hours\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003elook out for: Use cages or stakes to provide support for larger plants.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eharvest notes: Fruits are harvested when they are 11-14 inches long and still shiny\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eannual\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasy-to-grow Asian eggplants are long and slender with tender magenta skin. Productive plants yield up to 20 fruits each and are vigorous and stress tolerant. Slim fruits average 1-2” wide; plants should be staked for straight fruit. Taiwanese variety is tolerant to heat and humidity while plant is resistant to bacterial wilt. We have noticed over the years that asian eggplant varieties tend to perform better in our climate than the traditional large Italian varieties, so to assure you get fruit this year, throw an asian eggplant in the mix!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little River Cooperative","offers":[{"title":"4\" potted plant","offer_id":42664980906066,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 gal potted plant","offer_id":42664980938834,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 gal potted plant","offer_id":42664980971602,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0535\/4461\/files\/IMG_1820.heic?v=1786386465"},{"product_id":"calliope-eggplant","title":"Galine Eggplant","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGaline Eggplant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSolanum Melongena\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edays to maturity: 80 days\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eplant spacing: 2 square feet per plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003esunlight requirement: 8 - 14 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003elook out for: scale, mites, stinkbugs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eharvest notes: fruits are harvested when they are 9 inches long and glossy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eannual\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe plants grow very tall (up to thirty-eight inches), and produce large (up to nine inches long), glossy, dark almost blackish-purple colored, oval to teardrop-shaped fruits. Galine is a standard shape and texture for eggplants but does particularly well in the South, which is the main reason why it was bred. Eggplants are great for summer growing but beware the presence of scale, mites and stinkbugs, as their populations increase over the summer months. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little River Cooperative","offers":[{"title":"4\" potted plant","offer_id":42664980807762,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 gal potted plant","offer_id":42664980840530,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 gal potted plant","offer_id":42664980873298,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0535\/4461\/products\/IMG_8750.jpg?v=1597515895"},{"product_id":"hansel-eggplant","title":"Hansel Eggplant","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHansel Eggplant\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum Melongena\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edays to maturity: 55 days\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eplant spacing: 2 square feet per plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003esunlight requirement: 8 - 14 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003elook out for: hornworms, white flies, scale\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eharvest notes: fruits are harvested when they are 4-8 inches long and still shiny\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eannual\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHansel is an adorable little purple eggplant that was bred in conjunction with the variety “Gretel” for small farms to make a colorful mix for the farmers market. Compact 24- 36” plants produce high yields of 3-4” baby fruit starting at 50 days from transplanting into the garden. We love to grow smaller varieties of eggplants because its easier to get large amounts of non-damaged fruit when its smaller and thus needs less time on the plant to mature. If you’re not sure what to do with small eggplants, try cutting them in half longways and grilling or baking them whole! You can even scoop out their insides once soft and baked, mix it for a rough babaganoush and then restuff the little shells. This variety is considered “non bitter” so if you aren’t crazy about the bitterness of large Italian eggplants give this guy a try!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little River Cooperative","offers":[{"title":"4\" potted plant","offer_id":42664981102674,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 gal potted plant","offer_id":42664981135442,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 gal potted plant","offer_id":42664981168210,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0535\/4461\/products\/hanseleggplant.jpg?v=1598219871"},{"product_id":"gretel-eggplant","title":"Gretel Eggplant","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGretel Eggplant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSolanum Melongena\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edays to maturity: 55 days\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eplant spacing: 2 square feet per plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003esunlight requirement: 8 - 14 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003elook out for: hornworms, white flies, scale\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eharvest notes: fruits are harvested when they are 4-8 inches long and still shiny\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eannual\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGretel is an adorable little white eggplant that was bred in conjunction with the variety “Hansel” for small farms to make a colorful mix for the farmers market. Compact 24- 36” plants produce high yields of 3-4” baby fruit starting at 50 days from transplanting into the garden. We love to grow smaller varieties of eggplants because its easier to get large amounts of non-damaged fruit when its smaller and thus needs less time on the plant to mature. If you’re not sure what to do with small eggplants, try cutting them in half longways and grilling or baking them whole! You can even scoop out their insides once soft and baked, mix it for a rough babaganoush and then restuff the little shells. This variety is considered “non bitter” so if you aren’t crazy about the bitterness of large Italian eggplants give this guy a try!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little River Cooperative","offers":[{"title":"4\" potted plant","offer_id":42664981200978,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 gal potted plant","offer_id":42664981233746,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 gal potted plant","offer_id":42664981266514,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0535\/4461\/files\/IMG_7660.heic?v=1786386358"},{"product_id":"fairy-tale-eggplant","title":"Fairy Tale Eggplant","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFairy Tale Eggplant (\u003ci\u003eSolanum Melongena) Live Plant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity: 65 days\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant spacing: 1 plant per square foot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight requirements: 8-14 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLook out for: scale, thrips, mites\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest notes: harvest when fruit is about 4” long\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifecycle: Annual\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFairy Tale eggplants are part of the “Hansel \u0026amp; Gretel, Fairytale Collection” family of baby eggplants that we also grow, and they are the color mix of the two; striped purple and white. These fruits and the plants they grow on couldn’t be cuter and more compact, with mature fruit measuring just about 4 inches long and growing in little clusters on fittingly small plants. Baby eggplants are having a bit of a hip culinary moment and are popular at restaurants baked or grilled whole and served cut side up like an adorable little eggplant canoe. Since eggplants take a bit of space to grow in the garden and also require a good amount of time we always recommend people grow these more culinary petite varieties because you cant get them easily at the grocery store, like you can the more traditional types.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little River Cooperative","offers":[{"title":"4\" potted plant","offer_id":42664999878738,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 gal potted plant","offer_id":42664999911506,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 gal potted plant","offer_id":42664999944274,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0535\/4461\/products\/fairytaleeggplant.png?v=1617916977"},{"product_id":"patio-baby-eggplant","title":"Patio Baby Eggplant","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePatio Baby Eggplant (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum Melongena) \u003c\/em\u003eLive Plant\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity: 55 days\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant spacing: 1 square foot per plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight requirement: 8 - 14 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLook out for: hornworms, white flies, scale\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest notes: fruits are harvested when they are 4-8 inches long and still shiny\u003cbr\u003eSeasons: fall, winter, spring \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLifecycle: Annual\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePatio Baby Eggplant is a dwarf variety that was bred with small spaces in mind, making it a perfect choice for containers, raised beds, or tucked into sunny spots in the garden. Plants stay neat and manageable, rarely exceeding two feet tall, but they’re heavy producers, setting clusters of glossy, deep purple fruit. Each eggplant is petite (about the size of an egg to a tennis ball) and harvested young for tender skins and mild, sweet flavor. Patio Baby grows beautifully from fall through spring, and if the plant is happy will continue into early summer. Like other eggplants, it needs full sun, rich soil, and consistent moisture, but because it’s compact, it uses less space and is easier to maintain. A layer of mulch around the base helps conserve water and keep weeds down. Plants are self-supporting, but a small stake can be useful once fruit sets heavily. Culinarily, these little eggplants are versatile but because they are small they will be best suited to dishes that wont mind lots of skin and less flesh. Their small size means they cook quickly, making them excellent for grilling whole, roasting, or slicing into stir-fries. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little River Cooperative","offers":[{"title":"4\" potted plant","offer_id":42665022292050,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 gal potted plant","offer_id":42665022324818,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 gal potted plant","offer_id":42665022357586,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0535\/4461\/files\/IMG_1551.heic?v=1786462452"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0535\/4461\/collections\/black_beauty_eggplant.jpg?v=1599365643","url":"https:\/\/littlerivernursery.co\/collections\/eggplants.oembed","provider":"Little River Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}