Nigral is an improved black Italian eggplant bred for the home garden and market grower alike. This F1 hybrid reaches harvest in a brisk 65 days, making it one of the faster eggplants you can grow. The bush growth habit keeps plants compact and manageable, requiring just 30 inches of spacing between plants. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, keeping soil between 80-90°F until sprouting, then move seedlings to warmer outdoor conditions in late spring or early summer.
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Nigral delivers the classic black Italian eggplant look with the speed and reliability of modern breeding. Its bush habit means you don't need extensive garden space or staking, yet the plant still produces consistently enough to harvest regularly throughout the season. The 65-day timeline from transplant to first fruit makes it achievable even in shorter growing regions, and the variety responds well to regular harvesting by producing more flowers and fruits.
Like all Italian eggplants, Nigral works beautifully in any preparation where you want tender flesh and minimal bitterness. Roast it whole until the skin blackens and the inside turns creamy, grill thick slices brushed with olive oil, or slice and layer it raw with salt to draw out moisture before cooking. The fruit size is ideal for single-serving portions or halving lengthwise for stuffing.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your anticipated transplant date in late spring or early summer. Sow 4 seeds per inch at 1/4 inch depth in flats or seed trays. Maintain soil temperature at 80-90°F (27-32°C) until seedlings emerge, which typically takes 7-14 days. Once sprouted, lower the temperature to 70°F (21°C) and provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Seed will not germinate in cool soil, so use a heat mat if your indoor space is cool.
After true leaves form, thin seedlings to 2-3 inches apart in flats or transplant into 2-3 inch pots or plug trays. About one week before transplanting outdoors, harden off the plants by reducing water and lowering temperature to around 60°F (16°C). Transplant into the garden in late spring or early summer once soil has warmed and all frost danger has passed. Space plants 30 inches apart in rows or beds.
Begin harvesting when fruits reach your desired size, typically around 65 days from transplanting. Pick eggplants regularly throughout the season to encourage the plant to produce more flowers and continue fruiting. Use shears to clip the fruit stem cleanly rather than pulling or twisting, which can damage the plant. Harvest fruits while the skin remains glossy and firm; once they start to dull or wrinkle, they become seedy and bitter. Regular harvesting extends your productive season.
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