[Mrs. Don-o]

Ever grow eggplant? I have totally failed 4 years in a row. ALWAYS cause of the @$$%@$% flea beetles. Even row covers on the early plants, and diatomaceous earth dusted on the mature plants, did not keep off the flea beetles.

I didn't want to use a poison nuclear option. Kinda defeats the point of my lil garden.

Any ideas?

(My present idea is: Who really needs eggplant? Forget eggplant!)

[Black Agnes]

I have eggplants (morden mini variety) in extra large drink cups in my unheated garage right now.

Under plant lights.

[ApplegateRanch]

First, you would have to define “grow” LOL

I have tried several times, and have managed to get a mature plant or two as much as 18-24” tall, with a few goose egg sized fruits. Unfortunately, they were Black Beauty, so should have been the size of an ostrich egg.

Like banana squash, melons, pole limas, okra, and a few others, we just don’t have the season length & heat for it. Wish I could help.

http://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factsheets/fleabeetle.html

Much the same: http://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/garden-pests/flea-beetle-control/

additional & more detailed here http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/cache/ARL02958.htm

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

I have grown them occasionally, the last time was about 3 years ago. I did experience insect damage, I did not get many. I sometimes use spinosad (Captain Jacks bug spray.)

I have not tried it, but someone suggested using coffee grounds. (Sprinkle on the leaves!) You might look at the suggestions here:

http://www.planetnatural.com/pest-problem-solver/garden-pests/flea-beetle-control/

and here:

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/homemade-natural-spray-flea-beetles-tomato-plants-57380.html

I have sprayed parasitic nematodes on my garden and lawn. I know that they worked on Grubs. I would be digging and find a grub that was yellow or brown and melting away.