Eggplant & Tomato Bake with Basil

Eggplant

• Plant eggplant in full sun after all danger of frost has passed, as they require warm temperatures to thrive.
• Provide consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruit development, to prevent bitter fruit.
• Support plants with stakes or cages as the heavy fruits can cause stems to break.

Tomatoes

• Grow tomatoes in full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily) in well-drained, fertile soil.
• Water deeply and consistently at the base of the plant to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.
• Use stakes, cages, or trellises to support tomato plants and keep fruit off the ground.

Garlic

• Plant garlic cloves, pointed end up, in well-drained soil in late autumn for a summer harvest.
• Ensure garlic gets full sun and consistent moisture, especially during bulb development in spring.
• Space cloves about 4-6 inches apart to allow for proper bulb formation.

Basil

• Sow basil seeds or plant seedlings in a sunny spot after the last frost, as it loves warm weather.
• Pinch off the central stem once the plant has 6-8 leaves to encourage bushier growth.
• Keep basil well-watered, especially during dry spells, but avoid overwatering.

• Hand-pick tomato hornworms and eggplant flea beetles off plants and drop them into soapy water.

• Use row covers over young eggplant and basil plants to protect them from early pest infestations.

• Plant marigolds near tomatoes and eggplants to deter nematodes and other soil-borne pests.

• Spray basil and eggplant with a neem oil solution to control aphids and whiteflies.

Eggplant

• Harvest eggplants when they are firm, glossy, and about 6-8 inches long, before seeds fully develop.
• Cut the stem with a sharp knife or pruners, leaving a small piece of stem attached.
• If left too long, eggplants can become seedy, bitter, and lose their glossy sheen.

Tomatoes

• Pick tomatoes when they are fully colored, firm, and easily detach from the vine.
• Harvest regularly to encourage the plant to produce more fruit.
• Overripe tomatoes will become soft and can split, attracting pests.

Garlic

• Harvest garlic when the bottom third to half of the leaves have turned yellow and started to dry.
• Carefully loosen the soil around the bulbs and lift them gently to avoid bruising.
• Leaving garlic in the ground too long can cause the bulbs to split and reduce storage life.

Basil

• Harvest basil leaves regularly by pinching off individual leaves or cutting stems just above a leaf node.
• Avoid harvesting more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure continued growth.
• Pinch off any flower buds immediately to prolong leaf production and prevent bitterness.