When to plant eggplant in Ottawa
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Ottawa's last spring frost of May 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 11 – Apr 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 20 – Jun 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 29 – Aug 13
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Ottawa's 149-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Ottawa'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
FROST
MAY 6
OCT 2
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Ottawa?
Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 29–Aug 13) in Ottawa, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Ottawa?
Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 11–Apr 1) in Ottawa, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Ottawa?
Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 20–Jun 10) in Ottawa, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Ottawa?
Ottawa has roughly 149 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 Ottawa's frost dates.
Confidence 84/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.