This year is Earth Day’s 40th anniversary. Earth Day was founded to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. Celebrate by planting a tree! The dogwoods are in full bloom, as well as flowering cherries. Japanese maples are as gorgeous as ever, and dozens of other trees to choose from. Click here to print a coupon for 25% off a tree.

The pear-shaped or sometimes almost cylindrical, dark-purple-skinned eggplant is the most common variety found in supermarkets. But a staggering number of other varieties exist. Eggplant can be egg-size to football-size, covered in skin that is creamy white, apple green, or all shades of purple; shape, size, texture, and color can greatly differ.

Commonly thought of as a vegetable, this member of the nightshade family (along with tomatoes) is really a fruit.

Here are some types you will see in the vegetable section at Orchard Nursery at some time throughout the season.

Baby purple:
Egg-shaped and egg-sized with dark purple skin. Heavily to moderately seeded, but seeds are tiny. Sweet and tender.

Common:
(purple, globe, Italian, American)
Either an elongated pear-shaped or almost cylindrical, these medium to large eggplants have glossy, deep purple skin. Can be moderately seeded. Flavor profile varies from mild to moderately bitter and can be slightly astringent. Skin can be tough and is often peeled.

Graffiti:
Classic shape of common purple eggplant, but skin is either ivory with purple streaks or purple with ivory streaks. Moderately seeded. Skin can be tough and is often peeled. Taste is similar to common purple varieties.

Japanese:
Long and thin with light purple or dark purple skin and bright clean calyx. Very lightly seeded.  Firm, mild, and slightly sweet. Skin is very thin and generally left unpeeled. Hold shape well when cooked.

White:
Looks like common purple eggplant, but with ivory skin. Moderately to heavily seeded. Firm and moist with mild taste, but can sometimes have very light bitter edge. Generally peeled because skin is very tough.

These are varieties that you will see this season at Orchard Nursery.

Black Beauty- Italian heirloom over 100 years old. Oval shape dark purple fruits. A bit larger than Nadia. 65 days

Nadia – Classic Italian type. Glossy purple-black skin. Elongated oval shape 9” long. Firm, white flesh with a slow seed development helps hold fruit quality. Outstanding  yields. 70 days.

Rosa Bianca – Italian heirloom, very popular with chefs. Round teardrop-shaped fruits, white with lavender streaks. Sweet white flesh on the inside. 70 days.

Lil’ Fingers – Little eggplants that grow in clusters of 3. Slim and deep purple harvest at finger length. The most versatile and easy to grow eggplant for coastal climates. 60 days.

Italian Bicolor – Italian heirloom, Sweet ,  tender, 4” bell – shaped fruit are striped lavender, purple, and pink. 85 days.

Listada De Gandia – Italian heirloom, one of the most beautiful! Rich purple striping on creamy white skin. Teardrop shape can grow to 6”. Delicious, mild, sweet flesh.

Fairytale – All American award winner in 2005. 2” – 4” long, purple white stripe fruit borne abundantly on compact 20” plant. Ideal for container or small area growing. Sweet mild flavor with no bitterness.

Japanese Long – Long, slender purple fruit, 10” long and 1 – 2” in diameter. Sweet, mild flavor. Quite early, 70 days.

Early Purple – Very early Ukrainian variety. Clusters of dark purple, 5” fruits on 24” plants. Flavorful and never bitter. 70 days. 

Eggplants need the sun and heat to grow and set fruit. Soil should be fertile and well drained. Apply a 5-10-10 fertilizer 2 -3 times during the growing season. Uniform deep moisture for watering. Eggplants can grow well in containers and can be very ornamental on a deck or patio.

A perfect gift for a mom or any gardener who loves to have cut flowers fresh out of the garden. Fill the Bloomsaver with water, and take it around the garden with you while you cut flowers to bring in the house. It keeps the stems hydrated until you can bring them in and put them in a vase. With 3 separate compartments, you can keep flowers like daffodils isolated so they don’t spoil your other blooms.

This is the last week to collect Bonus Bucks. Collect Bonus Bucks on 10% of your purchases through April 30th. Redeem them in July!

Last Week's Question: In 1949, who was crowned the Artichoke Queen of California?

Prize Winner: Cindy Hadden has won a $10 Orchard Nursery gift certificate. Congratulations! Gift certificates are to be picked up within two weeks of winning. Winner must bring an ID to the nursery to claim the prize. Prize must be picked up in person. Employees are not eligible for this contest. Please stay tuned for another question next week!