We're growing some eggplants for the first time this year. Let my son pick out the seeds and he grabbed Black Beauty. I wouldn't mind trying another variety. Rosa Bianca seems to be recommended pretty highly, any special tricks to getting them going?
Use the same tricks you would use to start peppers. They're in the same family and respond to the same conditions. Use bottom heat if you can, a fluffy soilless mix to start them in, pot up when they have their first leaves, and fertilize with something like 10:10:10 at that time. Harden off very gently when weather warms up to 65F and transplant into your containers or your garden beds on an overcast day if possible with little or no wind.