Vegetables
Comparing zucchini vs. eggplant for your next garden veggie to plant ? These to vegetables are very different from one another , but they both also share many common traits . horticulture expert Madison Moulton examines both veggie in detail , comparing their growing zones , flora families , and more .
Contents
courgette andeggplanthave becomevegetable garden staplesover the years . With their delectable , extremely alimental , and versatile veggie , it ’s no wonder why . They are both light to grow , and are favored by veteran gardeners , and novices alike .
These pleasant-tasting , fleshy vegetables attend similar and are often used interchangeably in the kitchen . The plants also havevery exchangeable want and grow weather . Both can sometimes even present similar growth return and attract the same pests .
However , that ’s where the similarity end . Zucchiniand mad apple areultimately quite differentplants , portion out no relation and falling into very different classification . Let ’s take a deep feel at these two garden plants , and what makes each of them so unique .
Zucchini vs Eggplant
Overview
For starters , the main departure between zucchini and eggplant is in theirscientific name and categorisation . Zucchini ’s scientific name isCucurbita pepoand it is classified as a squash . It also has a handful of other names , like courgette and marrow . Eggplant , on the other hand , is classify as a Nightshade , and its scientific name isSolanum melongena . Aubergine and guinea squash are other common names for eggplant .
While eggplant bush is from time to time call in a squash racquets , it has no relation to courgette or the rest of the squash family . There are also several varieties of eggplant often grown for their beauty rather than their fruits , making them marvelous ornamental . A popular decorative aubergine is the ‘ Pumpkin on a Stick ’ . Its yield resembles flyspeck pumpkins and reach a wonderful , double - purpose surrender decoration , perfect for Halloween and thanksgiving fan .
Zucchini , however , has less ornamental note value . It isprimarily develop for its delicious veg . Throughout history , zucchini has been cultivated and reproduce to give us the fruits we be intimate . While courgette has origin in Mesoamerica , the plant we eat today was tame in Italy in the other 1900s . It was only brought to the United States as late as the 1940s .
Eggplant is native to China and India , cultivated for thousands of year . It get in the Americas in the 1500s , but it was not a democratic plant . belong to the nightshade folk , eggplantremained an undesirable plantfor a longsighted time . Eventually , it crept into the hearts of nursing home gardeners everywhere and has become a vegetable garden staple .
Appearance
Zucchini and eggplant grow on shaggy-coated , upright plants with thick leaves . Like the rest of its squash family , courgette has avining nature and large jaundiced flowers . Its glossy leaf are turgid , notched , and very deeply indented .
The most defining characteristic of zucchini is , of course , its vegetables , which tend to be adeep , dark green . They sometimes have white chevron that run along their length . Some varieties of courgette are yellow , namely the Golden Zucchini , while others are shaped differently , like the Round Zucchini .
While these plants look like , if you take a close facial expression , you may easily say them asunder . Eggplant miss the vining nature of zucchini , and its large leaves are slenderly different too . They have lobes and are smooth , and ovate . Eggplant also sports gorgeous pendant - like violet prime which give way to the delightful vegetable . These veg are tumid and oblong .
Eggplants are typicallydark purple , but they can sometimes be ruby , yellowed , and white . They can also have stripes .
While mad apple has become a pop addition to the home garden , it ’s important to note that it ’s still a member of the nightshade class . Nightshade plants check alkaloids that areextremely toxic to both human being and pets . brinjal leaves , flowers , and immature fruit / vegetables contain these toxin , so keep them away from queer nose and paws . It ’s also dependable to only eat brinjal when it ’s ripe .
Growing Conditions
While these industrial plant are very different , sharing dissimilar histories , families , and even appearances , they do sharevery similargrowing conditions . allow ’s take a look at what you could ask from each of these garden veggies when you decide to plant them in your garden .
Climate
courgette and eggplant thrive in warmer temperature , enjoying temperature well above 65F. However , their optimum climates do differ slightly .
mad apple is hardy in USDA zones4 - 10 , put up temperatures as high as 90F. With that said , it does prefer more restrained humidity layer . Too much humidity have the plant ’s pollen to become sticky , preventing pollenation .
Zucchini , on the other hand , thrives in USDA zones3 - 9and prefers somewhat cooler conditions . It grows skillful in temperatures between 65F and 75F , and unlike garden egg , zucchini does n’t enjoy extremely red-hot condition . utmost heat tend to slow the growth of the plant and can ultimately reduce yield production . Zucchini can also tolerate high-pitched grade of humidity .
Both courgette and eggplant ca n’t stand the cold . Zucchini tend to stop growth all together when temperature flatten below 60F. Eggplant , however , can abide temperatures as low as 50F. Anything below that can have prejudicious effect on the plant . One icy cold front or a small bout of frost can well toss off both zucchini and eggplants .
Sunlight
Zucchini and eggplants have ashared love life of sunlight . They both thrive in orbit that receive at least 6 - 8 hours of direct sunlight a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . Giving these plants as much ignitor as potential ensures the production of scrumptious fruit throughout the growing season . sunshine also diminish the chances of disease , such as powdery mildew , which both industrial plant are susceptible to .
While they both share a love for the sun , courgette can bear partial shadein exceedingly spicy areas . As advert , extreme heat can cause emphasis for the plant . Eggplant , however , can not permit any shadiness , no matter the mood .
Soil and Fertilizer
Perhaps the most common affair that zucchini and eggplant share is their soil want . Both thrive in loamy , well - draining soil that is plentiful in constitutional matter . The right soil is imperative for both these plants as they ’re susceptible to rotting because of overwatering and waterlogged soil .
you may easily better your stain ’s conditions byadding some compostor any other organic cloth . Coconut husk and river Baroness Dudevant are great for improve the drainage and aeration of your grime .
Zucchini enjoys soils that are on theacidic side , raise best in soils with a pH of around six . Solanum melongena , on the other hand , can get in soil with either a slightly acidic or basic pH level .
Zucchini and eggplant are thirsty plant , necessitate fertilizer frequently . Zucchini requires a balanced fertilizerevery month throughout the develop time of year . Eggplants have like fertilizer needs , but they take a low nitrogen portmanteau and should be fertilized once or twice a season .
As a normal of ovolo , keep off fertilizing fruits and vegetables with a high-pitched nitrogen fertilizer . Nitrogen stimulates leaf growth , resulting in long-shanked , bushy plant and low yield yield .
Water
aubergine and zucchini are as athirst as they are thirsty . Theyboth need raft of water to grow their delicious , heavy vegetables .
While both courgette and eggplants need well - debilitate soil , it does need to beconsistently moist . Soggy , waterlogged soil create a training ground for several devasting diseases , likepowdery mould , beginning rot , and other fungal disease .
The correct lachrymation methods will assist keep these diseases , and in the case of eggplants , prevent the growth of oddly mold vegetables . It ’s best to irrigate both these plants slowly , deep , and in the morning . Thisallows the water to infiltrate the soiland reach as many roots as possible . Any excess water supply is also consecrate the hazard to evaporate throughout the 24-hour interval , which preclude pooling . Steer unclouded of overhead lachrymation too , as it aids in the spread of disease .
keep the filth from becoming soggy is a guileful task , disregardless of the method . Butmulchingaround the baseof the industrial plant is a great room to keep the soil moist . It avail the territory continue as much body of water as possible , without it being too quaggy . Mulch also come in handy during extremely red-hot conditions , as it keeps the soil cool .
Ease of Growth
Zucchini , like the repose of its family , isnotorious for its ease of growth . In the correct condition , they be given to grow chop-chop and smartly .
eggplant , on the other bridge player , tend to be slimly trickier . Their twinkle , water , and temperature requirements are decisive for fruit output and overall plant wellness .
Despite that , both plants are super rewarding , producing vegetable in less than two months , even when planted from cum .
Unfortunately , both plants are suspectable to avariety of pests and diseases . Some are standardized , while others are flora - specific .
Diseases
As mentioned , both zucchini and eggplant are susceptible topowdery mildew and root rot , but several other fungous diseases can ravage these plant . Bacterial wilt , bacterial foliage spot , and blossom remainder rotaffect both zucchini and brinjal . Most of these disease thrive and spread in constantly stiff and moist conditions and when the plant ’s soil is soggy and waterlogged .
Eggplants are prone to a few other diseases , likeverticillium wilt , southern blight , and Phomopsis blight . Southern blight attacks the roots and crown of the plant , eventually spreading to the soil . Both verticillium wilt and Phomopsis blight can kill eggplants , with the former aggress the theme and foliage of the plant . Phomopsis blight can induce spotlight on the leaves and stems of the plant too but in the main attacks the fruits .
Zucchini Yellow Mosaicis a disease that only place zucchini . It causes strange chickenhearted patterns on the leaves and can result in necrotic fruit and leaf .
These disease can have annihilating burden on both zucchini and eggplant plant , with some , like verticillium wilt , beingnear impossible to treat . In many case , infect plant need to be extirpate and destroyed . With that aver , good garden hygiene , the correct spacing , some pruning , and the right watering habits will forbid these disease from taking root .
Pests
As part of the nightshade family , many pestilence incline to pest aubergine – namely , Colorado white potato mallet , hornworms , and cutworm . aphid and whiteflies are also common on both zucchini and its purple look - likewise .
Many of these pests can wreak havoc on your plant life . However , most pests have the same weaknesses and can be prevented using very similar techniques . Avoid pesticides as they can lead in inedible fruitand are defective for the environment . Instead , choose for constitutive methods that are nutrient - safe .
Each of these cuss can easily be picked off your flora , squished between your finger , or tossed into a jar of oleaginous water . Horticultural sprays , like neem oil , are awonderful pesticide alternativethat is altogether innate , but they can burn the foliage if applied during the hottest part of the sidereal day .
Final Thoughts
courgette and eggplant are exchangeable in a few way , butthey are not the same plant life . They await unlike and have a few dissimilar demand . Eggplants can also be turn for their striking beauty , whereas courgette ’s independent quality is its scrumptious squash .
Their soil need and sexual love for the sun and water may make it seem like these would make a big pair in the garden . However , it’sbest to keep them separateas their hungry natures will leave in intense contender for nutrients and resources .
In the kitchen , however , Solanum melongena and zucchini are smashing together . They havevery similar tastes and texturesand are often used interchangeably in some dishes .
