How to Grow Harvington Double Purple
Wikimedia Commons
Harvington Double Purple
Solanum melongena 'Harvington Double Purple'
vegetableHarvington Double Purple is a compact eggplant cultivar producing abundant, glossy dark purple fruits with excellent flavor and tender flesh. This hybrid variety is prized for its high yield, disease resistance, and suitability for both garden and container growing.
When should you plant Harvington Double Purple in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Harvington Double Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Harvington Double Purple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Harvington Double Purple
Around Jun 21≈ 65 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Harvington Double Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown in zone 4 with protection and heat-loving practices
Sign up free to see if Harvington Double Purple grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Harvington Double Purple timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with 2 cotyledon leaves, gradually developing first true leaves; very tender and vulnerable
Maintain 75-85°F soil temperature; provide bright light or grow lights 14-16 hours daily; keep soil consistently moist; avoid overwatering to prevent damping off
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeks before transplant sizeSturdy transplant with 4-6 true leaves, bushy branching structure developing; plant grows taller and wider with increasing leaf surface area
Harden off gradually before transplanting; maintain warm conditions (70-80°F); fertilize weekly with balanced liquid fertilizer; stake or support if needed
Flowering
3-4 weeks overlap with fruitingPurple flowers appear in leaf axils; compact bushy plant heavily laden with buds and open blooms; flowers are self-fertile with yellow stamens
Maintain consistent watering and warmth; apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer to encourage more blooms; ensure adequate pollinator access or gently shake plants mid-day to aid pollination; mulch around base
Fruiting & Development
4-6 weeksFruits set at flower nodes, rapidly elongating into glossy dark purple ovals; plant laden with fruits at various stages of development; foliage dense and green
Water deeply and consistently; feed every 2 weeks with balanced or slightly potassium-rich fertilizer; pinch off lower leaves once fruits form to improve air circulation; monitor for pests and diseases
Harvest
Ongoing through first frost (2-4 months or more)Mature fruits are glossy deep purple, firm, and approximately 5-6 inches long; seeds inside are tender and immature; peak flavor achieved
Harvest regularly with pruning shears to encourage continued production; handle gently to avoid bruising; morning harvest yields best quality; continue watering and feeding to sustain production
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick adults and egg clusters; row covers on young plants; spinosad or neem oil spray; crop rotation
-
Increase humidity and air circulation; spray undersides of leaves with water; neem oil; insecticidal soap
-
Yellow sticky traps; reflective mulch; neem oil; insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators
-
Row covers on seedlings; reflective mulch; neem oil; kaolin clay; remove debris that harbors overwintering beetles
-
and
(fungal)
Plant resistant varieties; crop rotation; remove infected plants; ensure good drainage and air circulation; no overhead watering
Uses
Cooking and cuisine
CulinaryHarvington Double Purple eggplants are excellent for grilling, roasting, sautéing, and stir-frying. Their tender flesh and mild flavor make them ideal for Italian dishes like eggplant parmesan, Mediterranean preparations, and Asian cuisines. [source]
Storage and preservation
HouseholdFresh eggplants store for 7-10 days in the refrigerator's crisper drawer. Can be blanched and frozen, pickled, or dried for long-term storage. [source]
Nutritional and health benefits
MedicinalRich in antioxidants (nasunin in the purple skin), dietary fiber, and vitamin K. Traditional use in some cultures for supporting heart and digestive health due to its phenolic content. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifePurple flowers attract bees and other pollinators throughout the flowering season, supporting garden biodiversity while ensuring fruit set. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting when fruits reach 5-6 inches long and have a glossy, dark purple appearance with slight give when gently pressed. Cut with pruning shears rather than pulling to avoid damaging the plant. Harvest regularly every 3-4 days to encourage continuous production. Early morning harvest yields the best flavor and firmness. Fruits have tender, thin skin when young; avoid bruising. Continue harvesting until the first frost; plants may produce until temperatures drop below 50°F at night.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Despite being called 'eggplant,' the fruit is botanically a berry—it belongs to the Solanaceae family alongside tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes.
- 🌱 Harvington Double Purple is particularly favored by commercial and home growers because it produces exceptionally high yields of uniform, marketable fruits on a relatively compact plant.
- 🌱 The deep purple pigment in eggplants—nasunin—is an anthocyanin that gives the skin its color and provides powerful antioxidant benefits; cooking does not significantly reduce its content.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Harvington Double Purple planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Harvington Double Purple seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Harvington Double Purple timeline →