If you are considering growing eggplants in your garden, you may want to know whether they need a trellis or not. After all, this bushy plant can grow quite large. And without support, its foliage might overtake your garden. But what are the benefits of staking your eggplants? And how can you do it in your yard?
Read on to find answers to these questions!
Do Eggplants Need A Trellis?
Let’s go straight to the core of the question: yes, eggplants need a trellis (or at least some type of support) to thrive. That’s because its fruits can be heavy, making the plant droop.
And while this might not sound like a big deal, you should know that fruits that touch the ground are more susceptible to infections and diseases, which may put your entire plant at risk. Additionally, as the plant bends over the weight of its veggies, its stem might break.
Another reason you should provide your eggplant with some support is to keep your plant tidy. Not only that! Training your plant to grow vertically will increase airflow and exposure to the sunlight.
But don’t worry: eggplants are climbing plants, meaning you won’t have to put too much effort into making them grow around a support structure. But how do you create a trellis? You can find some inspiration in the following sections!
How to Build A Support Structure For Eggplants
There are many ways to provide support to your eggplant’s growth. So, choose the option that suits your needs and preferences better, considering the variety you planted in your garden. Here is a list of some of the best options for your garden.
Staking
One of the most common ways to grow eggplants vertically is to add stakes. You can use wooden or bamboo sticks and arrange them as you like. Many gardeners like to use the “tepee” structure, as it is an effective way to create a long-lasting solution.
However, you may want to know that eggplants grow fast. So, you may need to add more ties to keep your eggplant in the shape you desire. And this might not be ideal if you don’t want to spend too much time in your garden.
Use Tomato Cages
Another solution you may want to consider is to train your eggplants to grow around tomato cages. Despite their names, such structures are versatile and suitable for various plants, including eggplants.
And the best part about using tomato cages is that once you add them to the ground, they won’t need any additional maintenance.
Of course, you can select them in the material you prefer the most. While you may have no issues finding some at your favorite gardening store, you should also look online: the selection will be wider.
Trellis
Finally, you can make a trellis. While there isn’t anything too challenging about this practice, you must know some things about it. For instance, you will have to tie the branches to the structure.
And this means accommodating your plant around the trellis as it grows taller. Plus, you can use various materials, including shoe laces or rubber ties. However, be careful to avoid harming the stems.
Also, be careful when placing your structure on the ground: you should push it down to the soil without harming the plant’s roots. However, you must also be careful at establishing it in the soil to prevent it from falling over with the slightest wind. At least two feet of the structure should be underground.
Benefits of Using Trellis
Besides what we already have said about growing eggplants vertically, you should know that there are other pros to using a trellis. Indeed, even if it might be a hassle to take some time and stake them, you must consider it an investment in the well-being of your plants.
By increasing air circulation and exposure to the sun, vertical growth will minimize problems in the future. Indeed, fungal infections thrive in moist and dark environments. And with adequate airflow, they’ll have fewer chances to spread. Also, you’ll have fewer problems with insects (including snails and slugs).
And because eggplants have climbing habits, providing them with proper support to grow around can increase yields. But even better, the fruits you’ll get will taste (and look) better since they won’t touch the ground or cause the plant to bend over.