When to plant eggplants in Minnesota
Minnesota’s average last spring frost is May 6, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 28 — about 145 frost-free days (USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a). Eggplant needs 65–85 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Minnesota's growing season.
When to plant eggplants in Minnesota: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 20 – Jun 6, with seeds started indoors Feb 25 – Mar 11. 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 Minnesota, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 25 – Mar 11). 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 20 – Jun 6). 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 31 – Aug 20). 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 Minnesota’s average frost dates. More in the full eggplant growing guide.
Eggplant planting dates by USDA zone in Minnesota
Minnesota spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. 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
Questions gardeners in Minnesota ask
When is the best time to plant eggplants in Minnesota?
Plant eggplant transplants outdoors in Minnesota between May 20 and June 6. That timing is set by Minnesota's average last spring frost of May 6.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Minnesota?
Start seeds indoors between February 25 and March 11, about 9 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 20.
What is the latest I can plant eggplants in Minnesota?
About July 25. Eggplants need at least 65 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around September 28 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will eggplants planted in Minnesota be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, eggplants are usually ready from about July 31 to August 20, 65-85 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Minnesota?
On average around May 6, with the first fall frost around September 28 - about 145 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.