Eggplants and peppers in the same greenhouse: can they be grown, planting guidelines

Peppers and eggplants can be grown in the same greenhouse or next to each other in a garden bed. Gardeners must follow planting guidelines, consider agricultural practices, and maintain proper spacing between the holes. An exception to this rule is when planting hot peppers next to eggplants. In this case, the vegetables may cross-pollinate and become bitter. Therefore, such a neighborhood is unacceptable.

Compatibility of peppers and eggplants in the same garden bed

Peppers and eggplants are low-maintenance crops. When growing them together, it's important to choose the right variety. Planting these vegetables together is also acceptable because they enjoy plenty of warmth and sunlight. Sweet peppers and eggplants require virtually the same watering schedule, making them easier to care for.

Planting peppers and eggplants in the same greenhouse is permissible for full-scale winter cultivation, provided the shelter is heated. There are also no restrictions on planting seedlings in open ground. In both cases, a few nuances must be observed.

To get a good harvest, gardeners recommend:

• leave 40-50 cm between plants to allow for full formation of the bush;
• rows should be located at a distance of 60-70 cm from each other;
• To prevent the seedlings from “burning” in the sun, they are planted in the evening, before sunset;
• transplanting from a greenhouse or hotbed into open ground should be done between May 1 and 10, but it is important to take into account the weather conditions in a particular region;
• Peppers and eggplants grow well in a polycarbonate greenhouse;
• when growing in open ground, the bed should be protected from drafts;
• The soil should be loosened shallowly, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the roots.

Regardless of the vegetable crop being planted, it's not recommended to transplant seedlings to their permanent location if nighttime temperatures haven't yet stabilized. Even a slight frost can kill any young plant. If there's a risk of low temperatures, cover the beds with hay, leaves, or agrofibre.

Timing and planting patterns for peppers and eggplants

The seeds of these vegetable crops are sown for seedlings from February 25 to March 5, depending on the variety and the manufacturer's recommendations. After 2-2.5 months, which occurs in the first ten days of May, the strengthened and hardened plants are transplanted into open ground. When growing peppers and eggplants in a greenhouse or open garden bed, the site must be prepared in advance.

The recommended planting depth is 15 cm. Peppers should be spaced 35-55 cm apart, and eggplants 55-60 cm apart. Humus or wood ash is recommended as fertilizer. Place it at the bottom of the planting holes. Seedlings should be dug in to a depth of the first true leaf. Water each plant with 2-3 liters of water upon planting.

Eggplants should be planted next to peppers at a ratio of 6 plants per 1 m² of soil. This will provide them with sufficient nutrients and will not require additional fertilizing. If you neglect the recommended number of plants and plant them too densely, the harvest will be less abundant.

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After which crops is it recommended to plant peppers and eggplants?

When comparing hot and sweet peppers, the latter is considered more demanding in terms of care. However, regardless of this, there are planting guidelines for this vegetable crop that must be followed.

You can get a bigger harvest if you plant peppers after:

• various bulbous plants;
• melons and gourds;
• greens (regular and leafy);
• any variety and type of cabbage;
• all legumes.

Root crops thrive better in this location the following year. This should also be taken into account when planning the layout of the beds for the coming season. As for eggplant, this vegetable produces a rich harvest after legumes, lettuce, greens, leafy vegetables, and all varieties of cabbage. However, nightshades are the ideal predecessors.

Comparison of growing conditions for peppers and eggplants

When growing eggplants and peppers in the same greenhouse and in open ground, gardeners should first study some of the characteristics specific to each crop.

According to the table, caring for eggplants and peppers in the same greenhouse or open garden bed is identical. Since growth, development, and fruiting occur under similar conditions, the crops can be planted next to each other.

Preparing seeds for planting eggplant and pepper

Both vegetable crops are considered relatively low-maintenance. However, this doesn't apply to seed selection and planting, especially if they are light and small. Such seedlings are likely to have a germination rate of no more than 40%, and they will take a long time to germinate. Therefore, promising varieties are selected first.

It's best to avoid collecting seeds yourself. Most hybrids are unsuitable for this purpose. The resulting plants will lack the properties and characteristics of the parent plant. It's best to purchase planting material from specialized stores. Be sure to pay close attention to the packaging.

The bags must be hermetically sealed (sealed). The manufacturer must indicate the packaging date and the variety or hybrid name on the packaging. It's best to choose the freshest seeds, as older ones have a lower germination rate. To select promising planting material, use a 3% salt solution.

Soak the seeds in liquid and discard any that float to the surface. These are hollow, so there's a high chance the seedlings will not germinate. After this test, rinse the high-quality seeds with cold water and place them on a sheet of paper to dry. Before planting, keep the seeds in a damp cotton bag for 5 days at 27-28°C. If 70% of the seeds germinate, the batch is high-quality and suitable for planting.

Nutrition and disinfection

Some gardeners believe that store-bought seed doesn't need to be disinfected. While all seed is disinfected before packaging, it's best to take additional preventative measures before planting.

To do this, select promising seeds are placed in a natural fabric bag soaked in one of the following solutions: potassium permanganate (dark cherry-colored), hydrogen peroxide, or aloe vera juice. They should be soaked in this solution for about half an hour, then rinsed with warm water.

Plants treated in this way experience vigorous growth and accelerated fruit ripening. They are more resistant to diseases and pests. They also tolerate transplanting well and establish themselves easily in their new location. If using a ready-made growth stimulant, follow the instructions on the package.

If you don’t have enough experience in gardening, you can use the following recipes:

• The seeds are soaked in a potassium permanganate solution for 20 minutes. Then, they are thoroughly rinsed and placed in Epin (2 drops per 125 ml). They are left in these conditions for 16-18 hours.
• After 20 minutes of soaking in the potassium permanganate solution, soak the seeds in Zircon. Add 1 drop of the solution to 1 cup of water and soak the seeds for 18 hours. Then transfer them to a damp bag and germinate.
• Disinfect the seeds in a 10% hydrogen peroxide solution, then rinse thoroughly. Then, pour melted water warmed to room temperature over the seeds and let them sit for 48 hours. Change the water every 8 hours. After two days, plant the seeds in peat pots.
• Freshly squeezed aloe juice is obtained, diluted with water to a liquid consistency, and the seeds are placed in the solution. Once the material has swollen, they are planted in prepared soil.
• Disinfect in a solution of hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate. Then place the material in a mixture of 1 liter of water and 1/3 teaspoon of complex mineral fertilizer and leave for 12 hours.

For greater convenience, it's recommended to perform the procedure in a pre-prepared bag made of natural fabric. If the seeds are to be hardened after disinfection, a method that doesn't require waiting for germination should be chosen.

Hardening of seeds

Before planting eggplants and sweet peppers in the same bed, you should grow seedlings. There's one crucial step in seed preparation: hardening. A cold storage unit can be used for this. If the seeds survive this process, the plants will develop strong immunity and be able to resist diseases.

First, promising seed is selected. It is then treated with disinfectant solutions. Growth is then stimulated according to the chosen schedule. Until the seeds germinate, they are placed in a damp cloth bag and placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. The temperature should not drop below 1-2°C above freezing.

After 12 hours, remove the seeds and store them in a room with a temperature of 18-20°C. After 24 hours, place them in the refrigerator for another 12 hours. It's important to keep the cloth damp but not wet. After these two hardening procedures, plant the seeds immediately.

Soil for seedlings

When planting and caring for seedlings, it's important to choose the right soil and supplemental fertilizers. This will help the seedlings germinate faster and grow stronger. Peppers and eggplants require different soil mixtures, so it's recommended to germinate them in separate containers.

For the blue ones:

• humus – 2 parts + peat – 1 part + rotted sawdust – ½ part;
• garden soil – 1 bucket + wood ash – ½ cup + superphosphate – 1 tbsp. + urea or potassium sulfate – 1 tsp.

For peppers:

• turf soil – 1 part + humus – 2 parts;
• peat – 2 parts + humus – 2 parts;
• turf soil – 3 parts + humus – 3 parts;
• peat soil – 2 parts + turf soil – 1 part;
• peat – 4 parts + turf soil – 2 parts + humus – 1 part + rotted sawdust – 1 part.

Gardeners do not recommend pre-sifting soil components through a fine-mesh sieve. Otherwise, the substrate will become too soft and form a crust after watering. Putting seed in pure humus or compost is strictly prohibited. Undiluted, these fertilizers only promote foliar growth, leaving the root system weak.

Picking eggplant and pepper seedlings

It was previously mentioned that hot peppers and eggplants should not be planted too close together. This rule should be kept in mind when transplanting. About a day before transplanting, water the seedlings generously. The plants will be easier to remove from moist soil. Dig the seedlings immediately before placing them in the main hole. To facilitate removal, use a wooden trowel.

Place it in the pot and gently lift it around the perimeter to its full depth. Remove the eggplants and peppers along with the soil clod. Do not pull them by the leaves, as they are very delicate and can tear off. Add potting soil (separately for each crop) to the prepared container.

Make a hole in the center, no more than 3 cm deep. It's important that the roots feel free and don't curl. If the seedlings are overgrown, they can be pinched to slow their rapid growth. Sprinkle the seedlings with peat, and compact the soil around them with gentle pressure. After they have settled, add a little more peat.

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Planting eggplant and pepper seedlings in the ground

In open ground, hot peppers are planted 10-15 meters from eggplants in their permanent growing location, while sweet peppers are planted 50-70 cm away. Water the seedlings thoroughly about 24 hours before planting. At the same time, spray or water them with a growth regulator. The main soil is treated with a pesticide. To prepare it, boil barley with grain waste and then mix it with BI-58.

Vegetable crops thrive in a garden bed. Leave 45 cm between seedlings, and approximately 60 cm between rows. One eggplant seedling or two pepper seedlings can be placed in a single hole. It's recommended to transplant in the evening, shortly before sunset, or on cloudy days.

It's best to make the holes about 15-20 cm deep. Peppers and eggplants are planted in the soil until the first true leaves appear. Fertilize the soil with a mixture of 10 g of superphosphate and a handful of compost. Afterward, water the holes thoroughly and lightly dust with soil to prevent the roots from burning.

The main stem of the plant is positioned vertically. The root system is then covered with soil and compacted. To prevent the stems from breaking, stakes can be placed near them. The bushes are then tied to these stakes. The site for forming the beds should be level and free of drafts. Water the plants 2-3 times a week and hill them 3-4 times during the season.

Disease and pest control measures for peppers and eggplants

Since both vegetable crops are compatible for growing in the same garden bed, they share similar diseases and pests. Even before the first attack, gardeners should familiarize themselves with potential problems and how to address them.

Caring for mature plants

Caring for established pepper and eggplant seedlings is easy. Be sure to monitor the air temperature and humidity. In the greenhouse, open the windows and doors periodically to prevent the plants from rotting. At the first sign of disease, treat them with the recommended treatments.

It's important to remember to water peppers and eggplants and loosen the soil periodically. Both crops are self-pollinating. If the outside temperature is above 30°C, the pollen becomes sterile and new ovaries won't form. To avoid this and ensure a good harvest, gently shake the plants every 2-3 days. This will stimulate pollination.

Top dressing

To prevent damage to the grown seedlings, it is recommended to fertilize them. The primary fertilizer is nitrogen. To prepare it, take 15 g of the prepared product and mix it with 10 liters of water. Applying it when true leaves are forming will stimulate vigorous growth in eggplants and peppers.

Approximately 10-12 days before transplanting to their permanent location, feed the plants with a solution of potassium sulfate and water at a ratio of 15 g per 10 liters. This will boost the plants' immunity and resistance to pests. Peppers and eggplants are also noted to be particularly susceptible to foliar feeding.

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It's hard to find a more perfect companion than eggplant and sweet peppers in the same garden bed. Both vegetables have similar, practically identical growing techniques, watering, and fertilization requirements. This combination, when followed correctly, increases yield by 25%.