When to plant eggplant in Portland
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Portland's last spring frost of Mar 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 20 – Feb 10
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jul 3 – Jul 24
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 11 – Sep 26
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Portland's 266-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
MAR 1
NOV 22
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Portland?
Expect to harvest from around mid September (Sep 11–Sep 26) in Portland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Portland?
Start seeds indoors around mid January (Jan 20–Feb 10) in Portland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Portland?
Transplant outdoors around early July (Jul 3–Jul 24) in Portland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
How long is the growing season in Portland?
Portland has roughly 266 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 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.