When to plant eggplants in Arkansas
Arkansas’s average last spring frost is April 3, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 212 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Eggplant needs 65–85 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Arkansas's growing season.
When to plant eggplants in Arkansas: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 17 – May 4, with seeds started indoors Jan 23 – Feb 6. 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 Arkansas, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Jan 23 – Feb 6). 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 (Apr 17 – May 4). 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 Jun 28 – Jul 18). 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 Arkansas’s average frost dates. More in the full eggplant growing guide.
Eggplant planting dates by USDA zone in Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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.
When to plant eggplants in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (this page) | April 3 | Apr 17 – May 4 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 25 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 5 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 15 |
Questions gardeners in Arkansas ask
When is the best time to plant eggplants in Arkansas?
Plant eggplant transplants outdoors in Arkansas between April 17 and May 4. That timing is set by Arkansas's average last spring frost of April 3.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Arkansas?
Start seeds indoors between January 23 and February 6, about 9 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 17.
What is the latest I can plant eggplants in Arkansas?
About August 28. Eggplants need at least 65 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around November 1 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will eggplants planted in Arkansas be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, eggplants are usually ready from about June 28 to July 18, 65-85 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Arkansas?
On average around April 3, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 212 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.