When to plant eggplant in Indianapolis

Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Indianapolis's last spring frost of Apr 17.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 8 – Mar 29
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
Indianapolis's 178-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Indianapolis'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
APR 17
OCT 14

Common questions

When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Indianapolis?

Expect to harvest from around mid August (Aug 11–Aug 26) in Indianapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Indianapolis?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 8–Mar 29) in Indianapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Indianapolis?

Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 2–Jun 23) in Indianapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

How long is the growing season in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.