When to plant eggplant in Columbus
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Columbus's last spring frost of Apr 16.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 7 – Mar 28
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 2 – Jun 23
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 11 – Aug 26
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Columbus's 188-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Columbus'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 16
OCT 25
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Columbus?
Expect to harvest from around mid August (Aug 11–Aug 26) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Columbus?
Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 7–Mar 28) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Columbus?
Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 2–Jun 23) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Columbus?
Columbus has roughly 188 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 Columbus's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.