Grafted Hansel Eggplant Leads the Way!

Bruce and I have been able to trial not only the Mighty 'Mato grafted tomatoes, but also to test some possible candidates for next year's GardenLife grafted eggplant and chile peppers. So far, all are doing well, but the grafted Hansel leads the way as far as growth, foliar size and early fruit production. Three years ago, Hansel was named the All-America Selections Vegetable award winner and bears slender, elongated fruit growing in clusters. Because the plant grows 3 ft. tall and as wide, it is ideal for containers as well as in ground planting. They are ready to pick when 2-3 inches long, but even if you neglect to harvest them until they are 5-10 inches long, the taste will not be bitter and will remain tender. Planted about 5 weeks ago, Hansel is bearing fruit despite the cool and overcast weather with over-sized leaves and more flower production! Eggplants are packed with vitamins, including a potent antioxidant, nasunin, that protects the fat in brain cell membranes. So Hansel is not only a good-for-you veggie, but as a grafted veggie, it has found its way back into my heart as an easy-to-grow edible with bountiful rewards.