When to plant eggplant in Wilmington
Eggplant is frost-tender, so every date keys off Wilmington's last spring frost of Apr 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 21 – Mar 14
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 2 – Jun 23
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 11 – Aug 26
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
70 – 85 d
Wilmington's 214-day season leaves this much room.
Eggplant on Wilmington'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 6
NOV 8
Common questions
When will eggplant be ready to harvest in Wilmington?
Expect to harvest from around mid August (Aug 11–Aug 26) in Wilmington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Wilmington?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 21–Mar 14) in Wilmington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant eggplant outdoors in Wilmington?
Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 2–Jun 23) in Wilmington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Wilmington?
Wilmington has roughly 214 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 Wilmington's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.