When to plant eggplant in Milwaukee
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Milwaukee's last spring frost of Apr 23.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 10 – Mar 31
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 19 – Jul 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 28 – Sep 12
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Milwaukee's 182-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Milwaukee'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 23
OCT 23
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Milwaukee?
Expect to harvest from around late August (Aug 28–Sep 12) in Milwaukee, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Milwaukee?
Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 10–Mar 31) in Milwaukee, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Milwaukee?
Transplant outdoors around mid June (Jun 19–Jul 10) in Milwaukee, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has roughly 182 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 Milwaukee's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.