When to plant eggplant in Raleigh
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Raleigh's last spring frost of Mar 26.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 14 – Mar 7
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 10 – May 31
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 19 – Aug 3
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Raleigh's 227-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Raleigh'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 26
NOV 9
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Raleigh?
Expect to harvest from around mid July (Jul 19–Aug 3) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Raleigh?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 14–Mar 7) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Raleigh?
Transplant outdoors around early May (May 10–May 31) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Raleigh?
Raleigh has roughly 227 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 Raleigh's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.