FrostCal

When to Plant Eggplant in Illinois

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23, then transplant outdoors May 4 – May 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 15 in Granite City and as late as May 15 in Roscoe.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 65–85 days

Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.

Eggplant Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
ChicagoJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 24 – May 1
AuroraFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10
RockfordFeb 13 – Feb 27May 8 – May 15
JolietFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10
NapervilleFeb 17 – Mar 3May 12 – May 19
PeoriaFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 30 – May 7
SpringfieldFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
North PeoriaFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 30 – May 7
ElginFeb 15 – Mar 1May 10 – May 17
WaukeganFeb 19 – Mar 5May 14 – May 21
ChampaignFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
CiceroJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 25 – May 2
BloomingtonFeb 10 – Feb 24May 5 – May 12
Arlington HeightsFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10
EvanstonFeb 15 – Mar 1May 10 – May 17
SchaumburgFeb 19 – Mar 5May 14 – May 21
BolingbrookFeb 9 – Feb 23May 4 – May 11
DecaturFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 28 – May 5
PalatineFeb 14 – Feb 28May 9 – May 16
SkokieFeb 15 – Mar 1May 10 – May 17
Des PlainesFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 30 – May 7
Orland ParkFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10
Tinley ParkFeb 12 – Feb 26May 7 – May 14
Oak LawnJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 24 – May 1
BerwynJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 25 – May 2
Mount ProspectFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10
NormalFeb 14 – Feb 28May 9 – May 16
WheatonFeb 17 – Mar 3May 12 – May 19
Oak ParkJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 25 – May 2
Hoffman EstatesFeb 19 – Mar 5May 14 – May 21

Showing the 30 most populous of 242 Illinois cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Illinois cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant eggplant in Illinois?

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23, then transplant outdoors May 4 – May 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 15 in Granite City and as late as May 15 in Roscoe.

When is the last frost in Illinois?

The average last spring frost in Illinois ranges from April 1 in Granite City to May 1 in Roscoe, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do eggplant take to grow?

Eggplant typically take 65–85 days from planting to harvest. Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.

Other Crops in Illinois

When to plant eggplant in other states

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