LawnWeather

When to plant eggplant

Start seeds indoors 5 weeks to 7 weeks before the last spring frost. Plant outside 3 weeks to 5 weeks after the last spring frost. Needs heat to set fruit; a black plastic mulch warms the soil.

Tender: any frost damages it.

Eggplant planting dates by state

CityStart indoorsPlant outside
Birmingham, ALJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 6 – Apr 20
Tucson, AZDec 29 – Jan 12Mar 9 – Mar 23
Little Rock, ARJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sacramento, CADec 21 – Jan 4Mar 1 – Mar 15
Denver, COMar 7 – Mar 21May 16 – May 30
Hartford, CTFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 30 – May 14
Wilmington, DEFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 24 – May 8
Washington, DCFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 16 – Apr 30
Jacksonville, FLDec 6 – Dec 20Feb 14 – Feb 28
Atlanta, GAJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
Boise, IDMar 2 – Mar 16May 11 – May 25
Chicago, ILFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 27 – May 11
Indianapolis, INFeb 20 – Mar 6May 1 – May 15
Des Moines, IAMar 3 – Mar 17May 12 – May 26
Wichita, KSFeb 21 – Mar 7May 2 – May 16
Louisville, KYFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 27 – May 11
New Orleans, LADec 5 – Dec 19Feb 13 – Feb 27
Portland, MEMar 5 – Mar 19May 14 – May 28
Baltimore, MDFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 16 – Apr 30
Boston, MAFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 24 – May 8
Detroit, MIMar 4 – Mar 18May 13 – May 27
Minneapolis, MNMar 5 – Mar 19May 14 – May 28
Jackson, MSJan 10 – Jan 24Mar 21 – Apr 4
Kansas City, MOFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 30 – May 14
Billings, MTMar 12 – Mar 26May 21 – Jun 4
Omaha, NEMar 2 – Mar 16May 11 – May 25
Las Vegas, NVDec 18 – Jan 1Feb 26 – Mar 12
Manchester, NHMar 8 – Mar 22May 17 – May 31
Newark, NJFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 22 – May 6
Albuquerque, NMFeb 25 – Mar 11May 6 – May 20
New York City, NYFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 21 – May 5
Charlotte, NCFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 18 – May 2
Fargo, NDMar 22 – Apr 5May 31 – Jun 14
Columbus, OHFeb 26 – Mar 12May 7 – May 21
Oklahoma City, OKFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 21 – May 5
Portland, ORJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 30 – Apr 13
Philadelphia, PAFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 21 – May 5
Providence, RIFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 28 – May 12
Columbia, SCJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 30 – Apr 13
Sioux Falls, SDMar 10 – Mar 24May 19 – Jun 2
Nashville, TNFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 24 – May 8
Dallas, TXJan 2 – Jan 16Mar 13 – Mar 27
Salt Lake City, UTFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 28 – May 12
Burlington, VTMar 4 – Mar 18May 13 – May 27
Virginia Beach, VAJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 1 – Apr 15
Seattle, WAJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
Charleston, WVMar 3 – Mar 17May 12 – May 26
Milwaukee, WIMar 6 – Mar 20May 15 – May 29
Cheyenne, WYMar 25 – Apr 8Jun 3 – Jun 17

Not your city? Every city planting calendar lists all 19 vegetables.

Helpful gear

Seed starting kitTrays with humidity domes for starting seeds indoors.See options on AmazonLED grow lightKeeps indoor seedlings short and sturdy.See options on AmazonFrost clothCovers tender plants on a surprise frost night.See options on Amazon

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