When to plant eggplants by city
Start eggplants indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost, plant them out 2–4 weeks after your last frost, once the soil is at least 65°F. Here is what that means for 2027 in cities across the US, using each city’s average frost dates and the date its normal daily temperature reaches 65°F, so cool-spring places like Seattle wait for real warmth (NOAA 1991–2020). Pick the city with the climate most like yours, or enter your ZIP code above.
| City | Last frost | Start indoors | Plant out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA (9a) | Mar 13 | Apr 7–21 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
| Portland, OR (8b) | Feb 25 | Apr 2–16 | Jun 25 – Jul 9 |
| Sacramento, CA (9b) | Jan 12 | Feb 7–21 | May 2–16 |
| Phoenix, AZ (10a) | Jan 5 | Dec 15–29 | Mar 9–23 |
| Salt Lake City, UT (7b) | Mar 31 | Mar 1–15 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Denver, CO (6a) | Apr 30 | Mar 7–21 | May 30 – Jun 13 |
| Dallas, TX (8b) | Mar 2 | Jan 12–26 | Apr 6–20 |
| Minneapolis, MN (5a) | Apr 23 | Mar 11–25 | Jun 3–17 |
| Kansas City, MO (6b) | Apr 4 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10–24 |
| Chicago, IL (6b) | Apr 10 | Mar 14–28 | Jun 6–20 |
| Columbus, OH (6b) | Apr 20 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Nashville, TN (7b) | Apr 1 | Feb 10–24 | May 5–19 |
| Atlanta, GA (8a) | Mar 24 | Feb 2–16 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Raleigh, NC (8a) | Mar 28 | Feb 6–20 | May 1–15 |
| Philadelphia, PA (7b) | Mar 30 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12–26 |
| Boston, MA (7a) | Apr 4 | Mar 13–27 | Jun 5–19 |
In frost-free parts of Florida, southern California and the Gulf Coast, timing is about heat instead: plant eggplants in late winter or early spring and again in late summer.
Don’t go by the calendar alone. Eggplants planted into cold soil sit still for weeks; wait until the soil 4 inches down is at least 65°F and nights stay above 50°F.
Eggplant spacing
In a square-foot bed, plant 1 per square foot. In traditional rows, space plants about 24 inches apart with 30 inches between rows.
The most heat-hungry nightshade. Row cover keeps flea beetles off young plants.
How to grow eggplants
Eggplant is the most heat-hungry nightshade. It is easy and productive where summers are long and hot; in northern gardens it needs warm soil, a sheltered spot and often black plastic to ripen a good crop.
Sun and soil
Full sun and fertile, well-drained soil, pH about 6.0–6.5. Keep it evenly moist, 1–2 inches of water a week.
Planting
- Sow ¼ inch deep indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost, at 75–85°F.
- Transplant 2–4 weeks after the last frost, once soil is at least 65°F. Stocky plants without flowers establish best.
- Space 24 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart.
- Cover young plants with row cover against flea beetles; remove it when flowers open.
Care
- Water deeply and evenly; irregular watering makes fruit tough and bitter.
- Side-dress with nitrogen about 4 weeks after planting and again a month later.
- Stake plants carrying several large fruits.
Harvest
Pick when fruit is full size for the variety and the skin is glossy; dull skin and brown seeds mean it is past prime. Cut stems with pruners (the calyx can be prickly). Store at about 50–55°F, not in a cold refrigerator.
Common problems
- Flea beetles: Tiny black beetles that pepper leaves with holes. Row cover until bloom; older plants tolerate some damage.
- Colorado potato beetle: Hand-pick striped adults and red-orange larvae, and crush yellow egg clusters under leaves.
- Verticillium wilt: Leaves yellow and wilt, often on one side. No resistant varieties exist; rotate nightshades for 3–4 years.
Varieties to try
- 'Black Beauty' — classic large, glossy fruit
- 'Ichiban' — long, slender Asian type
- 'Fairy Tale' — small striped fruit, compact plant
- 'Dusky' — early Italian type
Crop rotation
Eggplants belong to the nightshades (Solanaceae). Heavy feeders that share blights and soil pests. Rotate out for 3–4 years. Relatives that count as the same family for rotation: tomato, cherry tomato, bell pepper, hot pepper, potato.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant eggplants?
What grows well with eggplants?
What should not be planted with eggplants?
How far apart should I plant eggplants?
How long do eggplants take to grow?
Can eggplants handle frost?
Sources
- Frost dates: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
- Hardiness zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, USDA-ARS and PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University.
- Planting windows and spacing: Vegetable Planting Guide (GardenNotes #720), Colorado State University Extension, and other land-grant extension guides.
- Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) for Nematode Management (ENY-056), Krueger, Dover, McSorley & Wang, University of Florida IFAS Extension
- Eggplant — Clemson Cooperative Extension (HGIC)
- Eggplant in the Garden — Utah State University Extension