When to plant eggplants in Mississippi
Mississippi’s average last spring frost is March 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 230 frost-free days (USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Eggplant needs 65–85 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Mississippi's growing season.
When to plant eggplants in Mississippi: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 3 – Apr 20, with seeds started indoors Jan 9 – Jan 23. 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 Mississippi, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Jan 9 – Jan 23). 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 3 – Apr 20). 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 14 – Jul 4). 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 Mississippi’s average frost dates. More in the full eggplant growing guide.
Eggplant planting dates by USDA zone in Mississippi
Mississippi spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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 Mississippi ask
When is the best time to plant eggplants in Mississippi?
Plant eggplant transplants outdoors in Mississippi between April 3 and April 20. That timing is set by Mississippi's average last spring frost of March 20.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Mississippi?
Start seeds indoors between January 9 and January 23, about 9 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 3.
What is the latest I can plant eggplants in Mississippi?
About September 1. Eggplants need at least 65 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around November 5 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will eggplants planted in Mississippi be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, eggplants are usually ready from about June 14 to July 4, 65-85 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Mississippi?
On average around March 20, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 230 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.