i'm a first time gardener: i have some eggplant plants that have eggplant on them. how do i know when to harvest?

the seed package says "pick when glossy, dark purple & before maturity." ok i know what glossy and purple means, but what does "before maturity" mean?

Which type of eggplant do you have? I usually pick the japanese when they are about 8-10 inches long and 2-4 inches around. The standard type I would pick when they are about the same length and 5-6 inches around, but you can pick them smaller as well. I would guess that "maturity" would mean they start to get soft. You do want them to be firm when you pick them.
AHA, here is a site with good info. They recommend picking earlier, but to make sure the skin is glossy. And it says dull skin is past the prime and will contain lots of seeds, so that is "maturity".
http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/info ... gplant.asp

i have the hybrid ichiban so i assume it is a japanese hybrid? thanks for the link.

i've been anxiously watching them grow -- one of them is now about 8 inches round and maybe 2 inches in diameter. sounds like it's ready?

Yep, that is the Japanese variety. AND it is definitely ready! Start pickin'. I planted a couple this year, but they have not done very well, not sure why, as I usually have tons. Oh well, I'm the only one around here that eats them anyway.