When to Plant Eggplant in Nebraska
In a typical Nebraska location, start seeds indoors Feb 13 – Feb 27, then transplant outdoors May 8 – May 15. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 29 in Elkhorn and as late as May 25 in Alliance.
Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Eggplant Planting Dates by City
| City | Start indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 9 |
| Lincoln | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 15 |
| Bellevue | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 8 |
| Grand Island | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 14 |
| Kearney | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 21 |
| Fremont | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 14 |
| Hastings | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 13 |
| Norfolk | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 21 |
| North Platte | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 24 |
| Columbus | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 12 |
| Papillion | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 8 |
| La Vista | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 8 |
| Scottsbluff | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – May 29 |
| South Sioux City | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 20 |
| Beatrice | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 15 |
| Chalco | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 12 |
| Lexington | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 17 |
| Alliance | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Gering | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – May 29 |
| Elkhorn | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 6 |
Showing the 20 most populous of 20 Nebraska cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Nebraska cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant eggplant in Nebraska?
In a typical Nebraska location, start seeds indoors Feb 13 – Feb 27, then transplant outdoors May 8 – May 15. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 29 in Elkhorn and as late as May 25 in Alliance.
When is the last frost in Nebraska?
The average last spring frost in Nebraska ranges from April 15 in Elkhorn to May 11 in Alliance, 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 Nebraska
- 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