When to plant eggplant in Canberra
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Canberra's last spring frost of Oct 20.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Aug 25 – Sep 15
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Nov 3 – Nov 24
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jan 12 – Jan 27
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Canberra's 182-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Canberra's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
OCT 20
APR 20
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Canberra?
Expect to harvest from around mid January (Jan 12–Jan 27) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Canberra?
Start seeds indoors around late August (Aug 25–Sep 15) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Canberra?
Transplant outdoors around early November (Nov 3–Nov 24) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Canberra?
Canberra has roughly 182 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow eggplant to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow eggplant 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Canberra's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.