Start seeds inside 6 weeks before last frost date (or 8 weeks before expected transplanting date). Keep soil warm until emergence (80-90°F minimum). Seeds will not germinate in cool soil and planting out too early may affect plant vigor. Harden off plants carefully before transplanting. Prepare fertile, well-drained soil. Transplant in late spring/ summer (soil temperatures at least above 75°F) in a very warm and sunny location. Eggplants are heavy feeders so use a balanced fertilizer. Too much nitrogen will produce lush foliage and few fruit. Small eggplants are pickled or cooked. Delicious in curries and stews.
Wrong seeds. Received tomatoes or something. Grew them and they were definitely not eggplants. More than half the seeds I bought were wrong. Very disappointed. What a waist of time.