Eggplants are capricious, but few people know: their failures are an “echo” of past plantings.
Dr. Sarah Mitchell of Cornell University explains that nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes) leave traces of solanine in the soil, which inhibits the growth of eggplants even years later.
Spanish farmer Juan Carlos told Modern Farmer:
“After potatoes, my eggplants yielded 90% less than usual!”
Solution? Use the 5-year rule: Don't plant eggplant after any nightshade for at least 4 seasons.
And if you have no choice, sow the bed with phacelia - it removes toxins, as proven in the Agronomy Journal .
Another life hack from gardening blogger Igor Lyadov : water the soil with nettle infusion.
Its enzymes destroy harmful alkaloids, restoring fertility to the soil.
Don't let the past ruin your harvest - be proactive!
