When to plant eggplants in Alaska
Alaska’s average last spring frost is May 17, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 13 — about 119 frost-free days (USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b). Eggplant needs 65–85 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alaska's growing season.
Alaska covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant eggplants in Alaska: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 31 – Jun 17, with seeds started indoors Mar 8 – Mar 22. Wait until the soil is at least 70°F and frost is over.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow eggplants in Alaska, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 8 – Mar 22). Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 7-14 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (May 31 – Jun 17). Space plants about 20 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: flea beetle, Colorado potato beetle, aphids, spider mite. Diseases and disorders: verticillium wilt, phomopsis blight, bacterial wilt.
- Harvest (from about Aug 11 – Aug 31). Eggplant takes 65-85 days to reach harvest. The most heat-demanding common vegetable - do not rush it into cold soil. Flea beetles hammer young plants; a row cover until flowering pays off.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alaska’s average frost dates. More in the full eggplant growing guide.
Eggplant planting dates by USDA zone in Alaska
Alaska spans USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the eggplant dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant eggplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jun 15 | Aug 20 | 65 days | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 29 – Jul 16 |
| Zone 2 | Jun 1 | Sep 1 | 90 days | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jul 2 |
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 15 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 10 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 31 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 16 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 6 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
When to plant eggplants in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this page) | May 17 | May 31 – Jun 17 |
| Hawaii | frost-free | - |
Questions gardeners in Alaska ask
When is the best time to plant eggplants in Alaska?
Plant eggplant transplants outdoors in Alaska between May 31 and June 17. That timing is set by Alaska's average last spring frost of May 17; Alaska spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Alaska?
Start seeds indoors between March 8 and March 22, about 9 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 31.
What is the latest I can plant eggplants in Alaska?
About July 10. Eggplants need at least 65 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around September 13 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will eggplants planted in Alaska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, eggplants are usually ready from about August 11 to August 31, 65-85 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Alaska?
On average around May 17, with the first fall frost around September 13 - about 119 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.