Brinjal

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Climate and soil

Temperatures of 20-30 degrees celsius. Single monsoon season lasting four months from June to September. Rainfall amount 700 mm/year. Basaltic soil (black cotton soil).

Seed to plant

We got a pack of seeds from cousins that have a farm that produced really tasty and pretty, round, small brinjal. Plant a seed at a time 20 inches apart at one inch depth. Water once a day.

Timeline and harvest

Plant all year round (avoid peak summer). Two weeks from seed to germination. Two months from seed to first harvest. Brinjal is self-pollinating. Gentle breeze or light flower-shaking helps the process. 10 x 7 feet area gives 250 grams of brinjal once every 4 days for 7 months. Market rate of total harvested produce is Rs. 260/-

Treatment

Jeevamrutha = 1 part cow dung + 1 part cow urine + 0.2 parts jaggery + 0.2 parts pulse flour and some soil. Cover, keep in shade, mix thrice a day. Incubate and use. Apply once a week in the first month and occasionally after that.

Ecosystem function

Moths lay their eggs on Brinjal leaves and eat them too. Beetles like brinjals as well.

Nutrition

Brinjal have some protein and a little manganese.

Storage

Seeds - We have not tried a second generation of plants from the same seeds. But this is our plan: grow the brinjal till over ripe and yellowish-brown on the plant. Chop and blitz the the brinjal and shake with water till the seeds separate out. Dry and store the seeds. Brinjal - Since it grows nearly all year around, we have not tried to store it. You can make brinjal pickle if keen.

Brinjal recipes

Maharashtrian brinjal curry

Bharli vangi

View all recipes!