When to Plant Eggplant in Montana
In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19, then transplant outdoors May 28 – Jun 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 19 in Laurel and as late as Jun 27 in Butte.
Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Eggplant Planting Dates by City
| City | Start indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – May 31 |
| Missoula | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – May 31 |
| Great Falls | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – May 27 |
| Bozeman | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Jun 9 – Jun 16 |
| Butte | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 27 – Jul 4 |
| Helena | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – May 30 |
| Kalispell | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 21 |
| Havre | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 5 |
| Anaconda | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 22 |
| Miles City | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – May 29 |
| Helena Valley Southeast | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – May 30 |
| Belgrade | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Jun 9 – Jun 16 |
| Helena Valley West Central | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – May 30 |
| Evergreen | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 21 |
| Livingston | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Jun 10 – Jun 17 |
| Whitefish | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 6 |
| Laurel | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – May 26 |
| Sidney | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Lockwood | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – May 31 |
| Lewistown | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 4 |
Showing the 20 most populous of 20 Montana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Montana cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant eggplant in Montana?
In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19, then transplant outdoors May 28 – Jun 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 19 in Laurel and as late as Jun 27 in Butte.
When is the last frost in Montana?
The average last spring frost in Montana ranges from May 5 in Laurel to June 13 in Butte, 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 Montana
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant eggplant in other states