Anyone had any luck with growing aubergines outside?

[VivaLeBeaver]

DT Brown catalogue says that Moneymaker variety is more reliable for outside cropping than most. Does that mean they'll still be the size of a golf ball?

[meltedmarsbars]

I've only grown them successfully in a porch - and that was in London.

[Takver]

I've grown them outside - but we are in west Wales which is fairly mild, and it does depend on the summer. You don't get anywhere near the crop that you get in a tunnel/greenhouse, but the flip side is that they are less inclined to get mildew. IMO I would say more that I get many fewer fruits, rather than them being tiny.

TBH if I wasn't doing it for work I wouldn't bother with them if I didn't have an indoor space, especially since you need to get them to a decent size before planting out which is really hard on a windowsill.

The two I've had most success with outside are De Barbentane, and Morden Midget, but I've never tried Moneymaker.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Thanks for the advice. I'm up North so maybe not going to happen. Will have to work out if I can squeeze them in the cold frame. Thanks.