Days to Maturity: 80 from transplant

One of America's favorite eggplants is now available in certified organic seed form. Black Beauty is a very well-adapted open-pollinated variety, thriving in almost every part of the country. It boasts big yields of large, glossy, delectable fruit that is appealing to the eye as well as the palate! Try it this season and you'll become one of its thousands of fans!

These large, glossy fruits are a deep purple so intense it looks black. They arise in great numbers on plants 21 to 30 inches high—you can expect a dozen or so fruits per plant. That's a terrific yield from such a compact, easy-to-grow plant. Be sure to stake the plant early in the season to support its bounty of fruit.

Begin seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before planning to set out. Eggplant is a warm-weather crop, so wait until after danger of frost before transplanting seedlings into the sunny garden. Set 18 inches apart.