When to plant eggplants in West Virginia
West Virginia’s average last spring frost is May 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 153 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Eggplant needs 65–85 days to mature, which fits comfortably within West Virginia's growing season.
When to plant eggplants in West Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 19 – Jun 5, with seeds started indoors Feb 24 – Mar 10. 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 West Virginia, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 24 – Mar 10). 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 19 – Jun 5). 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 30 – Aug 19). 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 West Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full eggplant growing guide.
Eggplant planting dates by USDA zone in West Virginia
West Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia (this page) | May 5 | May 19 – Jun 5 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | May 4 – May 21 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | May 15 – Jun 1 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Apr 28 – May 15 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Apr 28 – May 15 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Apr 24 – May 11 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Apr 29 – May 16 |
Questions gardeners in West Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant eggplants in West Virginia?
Plant eggplant transplants outdoors in West Virginia between May 19 and June 5. That timing is set by West Virginia's average last spring frost of May 5.
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in West Virginia?
Start seeds indoors between February 24 and March 10, about 9 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 19.
What is the latest I can plant eggplants in West Virginia?
About August 1. Eggplants need at least 65 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around October 5 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will eggplants planted in West Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, eggplants are usually ready from about July 30 to August 19, 65-85 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in West Virginia?
On average around May 5, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 153 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.