{"product_id":"florida-market-eggplant","title":"Florida Market Eggplant, Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch1\u003eFlorida Market Eggplant, Heirloom Seeds\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eBring glossy purple eggplants from your summer garden straight to the grill, skillet, or baking dish. Florida Market is an open-pollinated heirloom known for vigorous, well-branched plants and large teardrop to bell-shaped fruit. Its warm-climate reputation makes it a worthwhile choice for gardeners with a long, warm growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Grow Florida Market?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge, glossy purple fruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Classic Italian-style eggplants with a rounded blossom end and narrower neck.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile summer cooking:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mild, creamy flesh for grilling, baking, frying, stuffing, and casseroles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVigorous plants:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright, branching growth commonly reaches about 30–38 inches tall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarm-season performance:\u003c\/strong\u003e A variety with a history of cultivation in hot Southern climates; consistent moisture and good care still matter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom:\u003c\/strong\u003e Developed in Florida in 1948 and suitable for gardeners interested in seed saving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eStart seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last expected frost. Transplant after frost danger has passed and soil and weather are warm. Choose full sun and well-drained soil, and water consistently. Space plants about 24 inches apart; allow 1 plant per 4 sq ft in a square-foot bed. Support branches if developing fruit makes them lean.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlan approximately 80–90 days from transplanting, allowing for differences in weather, growing method, and harvest size. Plants may continue cropping through warm weather until frost, but heat tolerance does not mean immunity to heat stress or disease.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHarvest Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePick fruit while the skin is glossy and the flesh gives slightly to gentle pressure. Cut the stem rather than pulling the fruit. Harvest size varies: suppliers describe fruit around 6–9½ inches long, so use gloss and tenderness rather than waiting for a fixed maximum size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per packet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 50+ seeds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePacket seed weight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.5 g, as listed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 80–90 days from transplant; conditions affect timing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, glossy dark-purple, teardrop to bell-shaped\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 30–38 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum melongena\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom, open-pollinated, non-GMO; grown as an annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"0.5g\/~50+ Seeds","offer_id":42408066416774,"sku":"TLM\/A5-100-85-820-27","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/Florida_Market_Eggplant_719_sf1o.jpg?v=1793993739","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/florida-market-eggplant","provider":"Box Garden Seeds Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}