When to plant eggplant in Portland
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Portland's last spring frost of May 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 16 – Apr 6
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 28 – Jul 19
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 6 – Sep 21
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Portland's 165-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Portland'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
MAY 1
OCT 10
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Portland?
Expect to harvest from around early September (Sep 6–Sep 21) in Portland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Portland?
Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 16–Apr 6) in Portland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Portland?
Transplant outdoors around late June (Jun 28–Jul 19) in Portland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Portland?
Portland has roughly 165 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 Portland's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.