When to Plant Eggplant in Pennsylvania

In a typical Pennsylvania 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 13 in Philadelphia and as late as May 29 in Hermitage.

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
PhiladelphiaJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
PittsburghFeb 13 – Feb 27May 8 – May 15
AllentownFeb 9 – Feb 23May 4 – May 11
ErieFeb 15 – Mar 1May 10 – May 17
ReadingFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 28 – May 5
ScrantonFeb 12 – Feb 26May 7 – May 14
BethlehemFeb 9 – Feb 23May 4 – May 11
BensalemFeb 10 – Feb 24May 5 – May 12
LancasterFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10
AbingtonJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 25 – May 2
LevittownFeb 10 – Feb 24May 5 – May 12
HavertownJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
HarrisburgFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
AltoonaFeb 14 – Feb 28May 9 – May 16
YorkFeb 15 – Mar 1May 10 – May 17
State CollegeFeb 9 – Feb 23May 4 – May 11
Wilkes-BarreFeb 12 – Feb 26May 7 – May 14
NorristownJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
ChesterJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
Mount LebanonFeb 7 – Feb 21May 2 – May 9
Bethel ParkFeb 7 – Feb 21May 2 – May 9
WayneJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
RadnorJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
WilliamsportFeb 14 – Feb 28May 9 – May 16
MonroevilleFeb 11 – Feb 25May 6 – May 13
Cranberry TownshipJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Drexel HillJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
PlumFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 30 – May 7
Back MountainFeb 12 – Feb 26May 7 – May 14
EastonFeb 7 – Feb 21May 2 – May 9

Showing the 30 most populous of 121 Pennsylvania cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Pennsylvania cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant eggplant in Pennsylvania?

In a typical Pennsylvania 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 13 in Philadelphia and as late as May 29 in Hermitage.

When is the last frost in Pennsylvania?

The average last spring frost in Pennsylvania ranges from March 30 in Philadelphia to May 15 in Hermitage, 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 Pennsylvania

When to plant eggplant in other states

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