Patio Baby Eggplant

Patio Baby is a compact, high-yielding eggplant that sets small fruit early and continues producing through the season. Ball lists a mounded habit, 16–20 inch height, 18–22 inch spread, and suitability for both garden beds and containers. ## Growth and Site Plant Patio Baby in full sun after the soil and weather are warm. Use fertile, well-drained soil and keep moisture even as the plant flowers and fruits. Its compact form is suited to patio pots as well as in-ground planting; the [Ball Seed plant page](https://info.ballseed.com/PlantInfo/?phid=024400001031582) lists medium water needs and a 16–20 inch mature height. ## Harvest and Use The small dark-purple fruits are intended for baby-size harvest and are suited to grilling or roasting. Harvest frequently as fruit reaches usable size to encourage continued picking. [Cornell’s vegetable variety profile](https://vegvariety.cce.cornell.edu/main/detail.php?filterBy=0&variety_id=6899) describes Patio Baby as a compact 10–24 inch plant with 1–2 ounce fruit around 2–3 inches long; [UMN Extension](https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/growing-eggplant) recommends consistent soil moisture for good fruit quality. ## Maintenance Water at the soil line and maintain steady moisture through flowering and fruiting. Check container soil often in hot weather, since pots dry faster than garden beds.