When to plant eggplants in Delaware
Delaware’s average last spring frost is April 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 22 — about 191 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b). Eggplant needs 65–85 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Delaware's growing season.
When to plant eggplants in Delaware: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 28 – May 15, with seeds started indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17. 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 Delaware, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 3 – Feb 17). 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 28 – May 15). 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 Jul 9 – Jul 29). 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 Delaware’s average frost dates. More in the full eggplant growing guide.
When to plant eggplants in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware (this page) | April 14 | Apr 28 – May 15 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | May 4 – May 21 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | May 15 – Jun 1 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Apr 28 – May 15 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Apr 24 – May 11 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Apr 29 – May 16 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | May 19 – Jun 5 |
Questions gardeners in Delaware ask
When is the best time to plant eggplants in Delaware?
Plant eggplant transplants outdoors in Delaware between April 28 and May 15. That timing is set by Delaware's average last spring frost of April 14.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Delaware?
Start seeds indoors between February 3 and February 17, about 9 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 28.
What is the latest I can plant eggplants in Delaware?
About August 18. Eggplants need at least 65 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around October 22 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will eggplants planted in Delaware be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, eggplants are usually ready from about July 9 to July 29, 65-85 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Delaware?
On average around April 14, with the first fall frost around October 22 - about 191 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.