When to plant eggplant in Melbourne
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Melbourne's last spring frost.
Step 1 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
Nov 28 – Dec 19
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 2 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 6 – Feb 21
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
From sowing to first pick.
Common questions
When can I sow eggplant outdoors in Melbourne?
Direct-sow around late November (Nov 28–Dec 19) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Melbourne?
Expect to harvest from around early February (Feb 6–Feb 21) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.
How long is the growing season in Melbourne?
Melbourne has roughly 365 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 81/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.