When to plant eggplant in Chicago
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Chicago's last spring frost of Apr 10.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 21 – Mar 14
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 4 – Jun 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 13 – Aug 28
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Chicago's 206-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Chicago'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
OCT 31
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Chicago?
Expect to harvest from around mid August (Aug 13–Aug 28) in Chicago, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Chicago?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 21–Mar 14) in Chicago, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Chicago?
Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 4–Jun 25) in Chicago, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Chicago?
Chicago has roughly 206 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 Chicago's frost dates.
Confidence 84/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.