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UC IPM Home > Homes, Gardens, Landscapes, and Turf > Vegetables > Cultural Tips
How to Manage Pests
Pests in Gardens and Landscapes
Time to
plant
Eggplant require warm temperatures for optimum
growth and fruit development. A long growing season
of 70 to 120 days, depending upon the variety, is
required for transplanted crops. The ideal daytime
temperatures should be in the range 80° to 90° F and
night time temperatures should not go below 60° to
65° F. Eggplant is intolerant of frost, and growth will
be significantly retarded if night temperatures are
below 60° F. Once plants reach the flowering stage,
low temperatures and low-intensity light will cause
pollen to be nonviable and fruit will likely not set.
Peppers prefer slightly cooler temperatures
than do eggplants. Peppers do best with daytime temperatures
of 75° to 85° F and night time temperatures of
55° to 65°
F. The ideal temperature for direct seeding is 77° F
or above. Peppers are intolerant of frost and temperatures
above 100° F will reduce pollination, fruit set,
and yield.
Peppers and eggplants are suitable for a small garden
if compact varieties are grown. |
Planting Dates for Peppers and
Eggplants* |
| CALIFORNIA |
Direct seed or transplant |
North and North Coast
Monterey County north
South Coast
San Luis Obispo County south |
May
April–May |
Interior Valleys
Sacramento, San Joaquin valleys
Desert Valleys
Imperial and Coachella valleys |
March–June
(earlier under hot caps)
March |
*Transplants may be started indoors from seed 4
to 6 weeks before the last frost date.
Areas are large, so planting dates are only approximate,
as the climate may vary even in small sections of the
state. Contact experienced gardeners in your community
and experiment on your own to find more precise dates.
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