FrostCal

When to Plant Eggplant in New Jersey

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 9 in Atlantic City and as late as May 14 in Manville.

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
NewarkJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
Jersey CityJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
PatersonFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
ElizabethJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
EdisonFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
TrentonFeb 6 – Feb 20May 1 – May 8
Toms RiverFeb 12 – Feb 26May 7 – May 14
CliftonFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
CamdenJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
BrickFeb 12 – Feb 26May 7 – May 14
PassaicJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
Cherry HillFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
Union CityJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
BayonneJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
MiddletownFeb 6 – Feb 20May 1 – May 8
East OrangeJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
North BergenJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
IrvingtonJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
VinelandJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 25 – May 2
South VinelandFeb 13 – Feb 27May 8 – May 15
WayneFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 28 – May 5
New BrunswickFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
UnionJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 25 – May 2
PiscatawayFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
JacksonFeb 17 – Mar 3May 12 – May 19
LakewoodFeb 12 – Feb 26May 7 – May 14
HobokenJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
West New YorkJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
Perth AmboyFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
PlainfieldJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 25 – May 2

Showing the 30 most populous of 223 New Jersey cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New Jersey cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant eggplant in New Jersey?

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 9 in Atlantic City and as late as May 14 in Manville.

When is the last frost in New Jersey?

The average last spring frost in New Jersey ranges from March 26 in Atlantic City to April 30 in Manville, 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 New Jersey

When to plant eggplant in other states

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