Why is my eggplant not producing fruit?

Common causes are temperatures too cool (below 60°F at night), not enough sun, or flower drop from heat stress (above 95°F). Eggplant needs 6–8 hours of full sun.

How do I know when eggplant is ripe?

Harvest when the skin is glossy and firm, and the flesh springs back when pressed. Once the skin turns dull, the seeds inside have matured and the fruit may be bitter.

Planting Date · Eggplant

Eggplant Planting Date Calculator

Calculate the optimal planting dates for eggplant based on your USDA zone, last frost date, and preferred start method.

Optimal Soil Temp

70°F

Days to Maturity

70 days

Frost Tolerance

very tender

Planting Depth

1/4 inch

Input

Fill in the fields below, then click Calculate.

USDA Hardiness Zone

Select your USDA plant hardiness zone (3–10).

Last Spring Frost Month

Approximate month of your last spring frost.

Start Method

How you plan to start the crop.

No results yet

Fill in the fields and click Calculate to see results.

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What to Calculate Next

NPK Fertilizer Calculator Seed Rate Calculator Yield Per Acre Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

Select your USDA hardiness zone and the month of your last expected spring frost. Choose whether you plan to direct sow or start eggplant transplants indoors. The calculator uses frost tolerance data and days to maturity to recommend optimal planting windows.

Why This Matters

Planting eggplant at the right time is critical for success. Planting too early exposes frost-sensitive plants to cold damage, while planting too late shortens the growing season and reduces yield. Timing varies significantly by USDA zone.

Methodology

This calculator uses USDA hardiness zone frost date tables and crop-specific data: Eggplant requires 70 days to maturity, has very-tender frost tolerance, and needs soil temperatures of at least 70°F. Indoor start dates are calculated by subtracting transplant lead time from the last frost date.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Planting based on calendar date rather than soil temperature and frost risk.
Not hardening off eggplant transplants before moving them outdoors.
Ignoring microclimates — low-lying areas frost later in spring and earlier in fall.
Forgetting that eggplant needs 70 days to reach maturity when planning fall plantings.

Tips & Best Practices

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost — eggplant is slow to grow.
Do not transplant until nighttime temps are consistently above 55°F.
Use black plastic mulch and row covers to boost soil and air temperature.
Harvest when skin is glossy; dull skin indicates overripe, seedy fruit.