When to plant eggplant in Melbourne
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Melbourne's last spring frost of Aug 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jul 3 – Jul 24
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Sep 11 – Oct 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Nov 20 – Dec 5
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Melbourne's 270-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Melbourne'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
AUG 28
MAY 25
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Melbourne?
Expect to harvest from around mid November (Nov 20–Dec 5) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Melbourne?
Start seeds indoors around early July (Jul 3–Jul 24) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Melbourne?
Transplant outdoors around mid September (Sep 11–Oct 2) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Melbourne?
Melbourne has roughly 270 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 Melbourne's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.