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?

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

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.

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.