When to plant eggplant in Austin
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Austin's last spring frost of Feb 15.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 11 – Feb 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 27 – Apr 17
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 5 – Jun 20
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Austin's 286-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Austin'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
FEB 15
DEC 2
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Austin?
Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 5–Jun 20) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Austin?
Start seeds indoors around mid January (Jan 11–Feb 1) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Austin?
Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 27–Apr 17) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
How long is the growing season in Austin?
Austin has roughly 286 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 Austin's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.