[Elcie]

The advice on the seed packet was to grow in an unheated greenhouse and they are doing really well.  I was wondering, has anyone had any success transferring their aubergines outside?  I was thinking of putting one in my square foot front garden, but don't want it to die straight away!

[compostqueen]

I have grown them on outside in big pots but I used to take them in if it got cold  They did fruit but I think they're better with some protection as you get bigger fruits I'd say. They are big plants though and difficult to find greenhouse room for so I stand them outside and leave them out while it's sunny. If it gets windy I bring them in though   

[Chiswickian]

I grew Bonica last year on the plot. They didn't grow too tall and though the plants were a bit grumpy at being put outside at first they managed to fruit in September. I have to add that I worked away midweek for seven weeks last summer so they were very neglected and they were tended to only at the weekend.
But I only had enough crop for one big bowl of baba ghanoush. This year I will try harder as I am a recent convert. I used to loathe the slimy texture but once I had had them cooked properly I now adore them!

[oldcow]

I've put mine out a couple of weeks ago, after a couple of weeks of hardening off, and they seem to be doing fine, and they've started flowering. But only time will tell... I read everywhere that they do better in a greenhouse, but I don't have one so I'm crossing my fingers!

[SUTTY1]

I've grown them in and out defo did better inside. HAving said that just give them plenty off sun  and shelter(keep out off the wind) and i think they'll do ok

[tosca100]

I grew the little srtipy ones last year, some in the greenhouse and the left-overs outside. The outside ones were a bit later than the greenhouse ones but they had more fruits on, I should imagine because the insects could get to them better. I haven,t grown any this year, didn't like them much.

[Elcie]

Thanks for the advice everyone.  I have 11 growing in Morrisons flower buckets in the greenhouse so I might chance one in the front garden.  Think it is a great looking plant so it will be worth it.  I will start hardening one off this week.

[purplebean]

Down in MK you might be OK, I have never managed to get one to crop outdoors up in Yorkshire  Actually I don't like aubergines but I really want to grow them to taste one straight from the plant as I suspect it will bear no resemblance to the pap sold in shops