Planting calendar
When to plant eggplant
Eggplant are a warm-season crop you start indoors and transplant out. Find your USDA zone in the table for the dates. In zone 7, start seeds indoors around February 18 and transplant around April 29.
| USDA zone | Start seeds indoors | Sow / transplant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March 20 | May 29 |
| Zone 4 | March 15 | May 24 |
| Zone 5 | March 5 | May 14 |
| Zone 6 | February 24 | May 5 |
| Zone 7 | February 18 | April 29 |
| Zone 8 | January 31 | April 11 |
| Zone 9 | January 3 | March 14 |
| Zone 10 | December 6 | February 14 |
Anchored to approximate zone last-frost dates. A guide — confirm locally.
FAQ
When should I plant eggplant?
Eggplant are a warm crop usually started indoors and transplanted out. In zone 7 that's about February 18 indoors and April 29 outside; the table shows every zone. Adjust to your local last-frost date.
Can I start eggplant earlier in a warm zone?
Yes — warmer zones have an earlier last frost, so the dates shift earlier. Compare the zones in the table; a zone 9 garden plants weeks ahead of zone 5.
A planting guide, not a guarantee. Dates anchor to approximate average last-frost dates per USDA zone and will shift with your microclimate and the season. Check the local forecast before planting.