How to Grow Eggplant: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Eggplant at a glance

PlantStart indoors: 8–6 wk before last frost; Transplant: 2–3 wk after last frost

Waterabout one inch per week; consistent moisture; avoid overhead; drought/inconsistent water → bitter fruit, low yield, blossom-end rot (a moisture disorder, not a pathogen).

SpacingSeed: UMN ¼ inch deep in sterile soilless mix; germinate on heat mat 75–85°F; then ~70°F soil; thin/transplant seedlings 2–3 inches apart under bright light.

Days to harvest70-80 (from transplant)

-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3+4

■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.

Updated November 4, 2026

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Nightshade: rotate away from tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and tomatillos (UMN). See also tomatoes and peppers.

Planting timing

UMN: start seeds about eight weeks before planting outside; transplant after nighttime lows are consistently above 50°F; chill below that can permanently hurt fruiting. Pinch flowers while indoors. Harden with nights above 55°F before final set-out. (UMN Extension) UNH: Start indoors 8–10 weeks; transplant 2–3 weeks after last frost. NDSU chart: sow 8 weeks before last frost; transplant 2 weeks after. (NDSU H1139) Purdue HO-186: very tender — plant at least two weeks after average last spring frost (air preferably 60–65°F). (Purdue Extension) Prefer nights >50°F (UMN) as the hard gate, not calendar alone.

Depth and spacing

Seed: UMN ¼ inch deep in sterile soilless mix; germinate on heat mat 75–85°F; then ~70°F soil; thin/transplant seedlings 2–3 inches apart under bright light. Garden: UMN space 18 inches apart, rows 30 to 36 inches; set shoots at the same soil line as in the pot; install supports at planting. Buy transplants: sturdy, up to 1 foot tall, pencil-thick stems, no leaf spots (UMN).

Sun, soil and water

Warmth: black plastic mulch after soil has warmed — heats soil and reduces root damage (UMN). Do not mulch cold soil. Soil: pH 5.5 to 7.5; compost/well-rotted manure; excess N → bushy leafy plants slow to fruit; no “Weed and Feed.” Water: about one inch per week; consistent moisture; avoid overhead; drought/inconsistent water → bitter fruit, low yield, blossom-end rot (a moisture disorder, not a pathogen). Fruit can sunburn if leaf cover is thin in hot dry weather. Climate stress: drought, days above 90°F, or nights below 60°F or above 70°F can cause poor flowering (UMN).

Harvest and storage

Days: Clemson planning chart 70–80 from transplant. (Clemson HGIC) UMN: harvest at mature size while skin still shiny and firm; clip with sharp shears — do not pull; keep picking to encourage more fruit; cold nights injure hanging fruit. Storage: about one week in refrigerator; cold-sensitive (pitting). Home-canned plain eggplant has been linked to botulism — prefer other preservation recipes labeled for safety (UMN caution).

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