What are some good eggplant varieties for Iowa?

Question:

What are some good eggplant varieties for Iowa?

Answer:

Numerous eggplant varieties (cultivars) are available for the home garden.  These varieties differ in color, size, and shape.  Fruit colors include green, white, pink, purple, and black.  Some fruit are striped.  Fruit may be oval, pear-shaped, or long and narrow.  Asian types may produce fruit that are 10 to 12 inches long.  In contrast, some varieties produce miniature fruit that are only 1 to 2 inches long.

Suggested eggplant varieties for Iowa include:

• 'Black Beauty’ (oval, 6 to 7 inches long, purple black)
• ‘Black Bell II’ (oval, 6 inches long, purple black)
• ‘Caspar’ (cylindrical, 6 inches long, white)
• ‘Dusky’ (pear-shaped, 6 to 7 inches long, purple black)
• ‘Epic’ (oval, 8 to 9 inches long, deep purple)
• ‘Ghostbuster’ (oval, 6 inches long, white)
• ‘Millionaire’ (Asian type, slender, 10 inches long, purple black)
• ‘Rosita’ (teardrop-shaped, 8 inches long, rose pink).  

Learn more in this article: Growing Eggplant in the Home Garden.