When to plant eggplant in London
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off London's last spring frost of Apr 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 23 – Mar 16
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jul 27 – Aug 17
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Oct 5 – Oct 20
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
London's 234-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on London'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
APR 6
NOV 16
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in London?
Expect to harvest from around early October (Oct 5–Oct 20) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in London?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 23–Mar 16) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in London?
Transplant outdoors around late July (Jul 27–Aug 17) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
How long is the growing season in London?
London has roughly 234 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 London's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.