When to plant eggplant in London
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off London's last spring frost of Apr 10.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 13 – Mar 6
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 24 – May 15
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 3 – Jul 18
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
London's 209-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 10
NOV 5
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in London?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 3–Jul 18) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in London?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 13–Mar 6) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in London?
Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 24–May 15) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
How long is the growing season in London?
London has roughly 209 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 88/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.