Great Grafting Technique to Harvest More Apples and Eggplants
Grafting is one of the most remarkable and ancient agricultural skills, allowing farmers and gardeners to combine different plant varieties into one tree or plant to maximize yield and space. While many people believe grafting is only for fruit trees like apples, innovative growers around the world are exploring creative ways to graft other plants together to harvest more from limited land. One fascinating combination is using advanced grafting techniques to grow apples and eggplants together. This unusual pairing might sound surprising, but with the right knowledge, patience, and care, you can enjoy baskets of juicy apples and fresh eggplants from a single, integrated growing system.
First, it’s important to understand how grafting works. Grafting involves joining the tissue of one plant (the scion) with the rootstock or stem of another. The key is that the cambium layers — the growing parts under the bark — of both parts must touch so they can grow together and share nutrients and water. Apple trees are commonly grafted to produce better fruit or combine hardy rootstocks with tasty fruit varieties. Eggplants, which belong to the nightshade family, aren’t naturally compatible with apples, but clever gardeners have developed systems to grow them side by side using supporting rootstocks and trellis systems, creating what some people call “companion grafting.”
To begin this process, you first need healthy apple seedlings or a young apple tree that’s about one to two years old. Choose a strong rootstock known for disease resistance and adaptability to your climate. Common rootstocks like M9 or MM111 are popular for apples. For eggplants, start with strong seedlings that are about six to eight weeks old. Unlike apples, eggplants won’t physically graft onto the apple tree’s wood, but you can graft them onto compatible rootstock like tomato or potato stems to make them hardier and then grow them integrated with the apple tree’s structure.
Here’s how you can apply this great grafting technique step by step:
1. Select the right site and prepare the soil
Both apples and eggplants need well-drained, fertile soil. Clear the area of weeds and mix in plenty of compost to provide nutrients. Ensure the site gets at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily.
2. Graft and plant your apple tree
Plant your apple sapling or tree first. If you plan to do more advanced grafting, consider adding additional apple varieties to the same tree using the cleft grafting method. This allows you to enjoy multiple apple types from a single tree, which increases yield and extends the harvest season.
3. Prepare your eggplant seedlings
While your apple tree is establishing roots, prepare your eggplant scions. If you want to make them stronger, try grafting them onto tomato or potato rootstocks. This makes the eggplants more disease-resistant and vigorous. Use the splice or tongue approach for these soft-stem grafts. After grafting, keep the seedlings in a humid, shaded area for about a week until the grafts heal.
4. Integrate your eggplants with the apple tree
Once your eggplant seedlings are healthy and the apple tree is growing strong, plant the eggplants around the base of the apple tree. Use a strong trellis system that connects to the apple tree’s trunk and branches to help the eggplants climb and get support. By using vertical space, you maximize your garden’s productivity.
5. Maintain good care
Water both the apple tree and eggplants regularly. Apples prefer deep watering once a week, while eggplants may need more frequent watering, especially during fruiting. Use mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize lightly with balanced organic fertilizer every few weeks.
6. Prune wisely
Pruning is vital for grafting success. For apples, prune to maintain an open canopy that lets sunlight reach all branches and the eggplants below. For eggplants, prune excess shoots to focus energy on producing large, healthy fruits.
7. Protect from pests
Apples and eggplants can attract different pests. Keep an eye out for aphids, beetles, and caterpillars. Use natural methods like neem oil sprays, insecticidal soap, or introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs to control pests.
8. Harvest and enjoy
By late summer or early autumn, your apple tree should be heavy with crisp, juicy fruit while your eggplants below yield plump, shiny vegetables. Harvest apples when they’re firm, fragrant, and come off the branch with a gentle twist. Pick eggplants when their skin is glossy and firm for the best taste.
This great grafting technique doesn’t just give you more produce — it’s also an inspiring way to practice creative gardening. It shows how blending traditional skills with a bit of experimentation can help you get the most out of your space and time. While grafting apples and eggplants together isn’t technically a direct graft like apple-to-apple or tomato-to-eggplant, the concept of combining compatible rootstocks, clever trellising, and companion planting creates a functional, productive mini food forest.
With a little patience, this method can transform your garden into a unique and abundant harvest spot. So, next time you think about planting apples, consider giving your grafting skills a twist — and enjoy the satisfaction of picking sweet apples and fresh eggplants from your backyard. Happy grafting and happy harvesting!
