When to plant eggplant in Durham
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Durham's last spring frost of Apr 2.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 14 – Mar 7
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 12 – Jun 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 21 – Aug 5
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Durham's 218-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Durham'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 2
NOV 1
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Durham?
Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 21–Aug 5) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Durham?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 14–Mar 7) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Durham?
Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 12–Jun 2) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Durham?
Durham has roughly 218 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 Durham's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.