When to plant eggplant in Tucson
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Tucson's last spring frost of Feb 27.
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
Apr 18 – May 9
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 27 – Jul 12
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Tucson's 278-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Tucson'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
FEB 27
NOV 27
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Tucson?
Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 27–Jul 12) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Tucson?
Start seeds indoors around mid January (Jan 20–Feb 10) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Tucson?
Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 18–May 9) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Tucson?
Tucson has roughly 278 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 Tucson's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.