When to plant eggplant in Richmond
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Richmond's last spring frost of Apr 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 15 – Mar 8
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 12 – Jun 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 21 – Aug 5
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Richmond's 217-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Richmond'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 1
NOV 4
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Richmond?
Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 21–Aug 5) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Richmond?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 15–Mar 8) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Richmond?
Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 12–Jun 2) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
How long is the growing season in Richmond?
Richmond has roughly 217 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 Richmond's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.