FrostCal

When to Plant Eggplant in Tennessee

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 30 in New South Memphis and as late as May 5 in Bristol.

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
NashvilleJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
New South MemphisJan 5 – Jan 19Mar 30 – Apr 6
MemphisJan 5 – Jan 19Mar 30 – Apr 6
KnoxvilleJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 25 – May 2
ChattanoogaJan 13 – Jan 27Apr 7 – Apr 14
ClarksvilleJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
MurfreesboroJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
East ChattanoogaJan 13 – Jan 27Apr 7 – Apr 14
FranklinJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
CordovaJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
JacksonJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
Johnson CityFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10
BartlettJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
HendersonvilleJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 25 – May 2
KingsportJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
ColliervilleJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
SmyrnaFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 27 – May 4
ClevelandJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
BrentwoodFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 29 – May 6
GermantownJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
HermitageJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
ColumbiaJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 24 – May 1
Spring HillJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 17 – Apr 24
La VergneFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 27 – May 4
GallatinFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 30 – May 7
CookevilleFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 28 – May 5
Mount JulietJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
LebanonJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
MorristownJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 24 – May 1
Oak RidgeJan 25 – Feb 8Apr 19 – Apr 26

Showing the 30 most populous of 70 Tennessee cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Tennessee cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant eggplant in Tennessee?

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 30 in New South Memphis and as late as May 5 in Bristol.

When is the last frost in Tennessee?

The average last spring frost in Tennessee ranges from March 16 in New South Memphis to April 21 in Bristol, 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 Tennessee

When to plant eggplant in other states

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