Eggplant syn. aubergine, brinjal
Solanum melongena
Eggplant is well worth growing, for the range of ethnic dishes it can be used in, its productiveness and the sheer beauty of the glossy fruit. They are attractive plants with grey-green leaves and pretty lilac flowers. It is a warm season annual, requiring a long growing season of 5 months frost-free. Seed needs a warm soil to germinate so in cooler areas it needs to be started inside either with a bottom heat propagator, on a warm window sill or the top of a hot water system. It germinates best between 23 - 28°C. Sow in early spring in temperate and subtropical areas; sow all year in the tropics; eggplants are short-lived perennials in tropical areas. Although suitable for temperate, subtropical and tropical areas, small-fruited cultivars such as 'Little Finger' and 'Snowy' are a better choice in cold areas as they begin to crop earlier. Sow eggplant 5 - 8 mm deep into seedling pots; seed takes 10 - 14 days to germinate. Use liquid fertiliser once germinated and transplant when all danger of frost has passed and the soil is warm. Transplanting into a cold soil will set seedlings back and the leaves may yellow. Space plants in a block 60 cm apart in full sun, in rich soil and stake. Prepare soil with compost or well-rotted manure, feed regularly with liquid manure, mulch well. Keep well watered, moisture stress causes bitterness. When plants reach 15 - 20 cm in height, pinch out the tips to encourage branching. Pinching out the tips again at 38 - 40 cm will encourage fruit formation. Well-grown plants can reach 60 - 90 cm tall. Staking may be necessary for some types. Pick the fruit before the seeds turn brown and while the skin is still shiny and firm.

Endive and Escarole
Cichorium spp.
Endive and Escarole are long appreciated European delicacies, close relatives to chicory and grow in much the same way. They are useful cool season crops to add interest to winter salads. Endive and Escarole are hardy, disease-resistant and frost and drought tolerant. Suitable for temperate, subtropical and tropical areas if sown in the right season. Best germination temperature is between 10 - 21°C. Sow early spring in cool areas; late summer to autumn in other areas. Sow directly where they are to grow 10 mm deep. Thin seedlings to 25 - 30 cm apart, rows should be 38 - 40 cm apart. Keep soil moist; add organic fertiliser when plants are half grown. A pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is preferred; prepare soil by digging well-rotted compost or animal manure through the bed. Plant in full sun.

Florence Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare azoricum
Not to VIC
syn. Finocchio
Florence Fennel is a gourmet vegetable; use it in salads, stews, fish dishes or baked. The leaves can be used as a garnish; the flowers are highly attractive to beneficial insects. This is a different plant to the weedy fennel found along roadsides. Fennel is a cool season annual, the plant height is 45 - 60 cm. Seed germinates best at 15 - 25°C in 10 - 14 days. Sow in temperate areas in late summer, autumn. Sow in subtropical areas in autumn. It is unlikely to do well in the tropics. Sow seed 5 - 10 mm deep, direct into a garden bed. It requires full sun and a fertile well-drained soil pH 5.5 - 7. Plant rows 45 cm apart; with 25 cm between plants. Keeping moisture constant will help to avoid bolting. As the bulbs swell, hill the soil around them. Avoid cross-pollination in future seed crops by not planting dill or weedy fennel at the same time.