When to plant eggplant in Philadelphia
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Philadelphia's last spring frost of Mar 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 13 – Mar 6
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 21 – Jun 11
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 30 – Aug 14
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Philadelphia's 234-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Philadelphia'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
MAR 28
NOV 22
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Philadelphia?
Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 30–Aug 14) in Philadelphia, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Philadelphia?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 13–Mar 6) in Philadelphia, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Philadelphia?
Transplant outdoors around late May (May 21–Jun 11) in Philadelphia, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has roughly 234 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 Philadelphia's frost dates.
Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.