When to plant eggplant in Dunedin
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Dunedin's last spring frost of Oct 18.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Aug 23 – Sep 13
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Nov 1 – Nov 22
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jan 10 – Jan 25
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Dunedin's 178-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Dunedin'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
OCT 18
APR 14
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Dunedin?
Expect to harvest from around early January (Jan 10–Jan 25) in Dunedin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 61%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Dunedin?
Start seeds indoors around late August (Aug 23–Sep 13) in Dunedin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 65%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Dunedin?
Transplant outdoors around early November (Nov 1–Nov 22) in Dunedin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 68%.
How long is the growing season in Dunedin?
Dunedin has roughly 178 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 Dunedin's frost dates.
Confidence 68/100 · NASA POWER (modeled) · 1991–2020 · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.