FrostCal

When to Plant Eggplant in Indiana

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors May 6 – May 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 12 in Evansville and as late as May 16 in Auburn.

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
IndianapolisFeb 9 – Feb 23May 4 – May 11
Fort WayneFeb 13 – Feb 27May 8 – May 15
EvansvilleJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
South BendFeb 12 – Feb 26May 7 – May 14
CarmelFeb 10 – Feb 24May 5 – May 12
BloomingtonFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
HammondFeb 12 – Feb 26May 7 – May 14
GaryFeb 11 – Feb 25May 6 – May 13
FishersFeb 10 – Feb 24May 5 – May 12
LafayetteFeb 15 – Mar 1May 10 – May 17
MuncieFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 30 – May 7
Terre HauteFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
NoblesvilleFeb 10 – Feb 24May 5 – May 12
KokomoFeb 16 – Mar 2May 11 – May 18
GreenwoodFeb 9 – Feb 23May 4 – May 11
AndersonFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10
ElkhartFeb 15 – Mar 1May 10 – May 17
MishawakaFeb 12 – Feb 26May 7 – May 14
LawrenceFeb 7 – Feb 21May 2 – May 9
JeffersonvilleJan 20 – Feb 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
ColumbusJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 25 – May 2
West LafayetteFeb 15 – Mar 1May 10 – May 17
PortageFeb 11 – Feb 25May 6 – May 13
WestfieldFeb 10 – Feb 24May 5 – May 12
New AlbanyJan 20 – Feb 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
RichmondFeb 13 – Feb 27May 8 – May 15
MerrillvilleFeb 11 – Feb 25May 6 – May 13
GoshenFeb 15 – Mar 1May 10 – May 17
ValparaisoFeb 11 – Feb 25May 6 – May 13
Michigan CityFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10

Showing the 30 most populous of 88 Indiana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Indiana cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant eggplant in Indiana?

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors May 6 – May 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 12 in Evansville and as late as May 16 in Auburn.

When is the last frost in Indiana?

The average last spring frost in Indiana ranges from March 29 in Evansville to May 2 in Auburn, 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 Indiana

When to plant eggplant in other states

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