Eggplant planting calendar for USDA Zone 9a

Gainesville FL, Houston, New Orleans, southern GA coast. Average last spring frost February 25, first fall frost December 1 — a 279-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent

Eggplant is well suited to Zone 9a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Start seeds indoors

December 24 – January 7

Transplant outdoors

March 11 – April 1

Expected first harvest

June 6 – July 4

Fall planting window

August 18 – September 8

Fall harvest window

November 13 – December 11

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing: 24″
Row spacing: 36″
Seed depth: 0.25″
Soil temperature: 75–90°F
Frost tolerance: tender
Days to harvest: 80 days

Grower notes for Zone 9a

Flea beetle pressure is highest in early season; use row cover for the first 3 weeks after transplant.

Plant near: beans, peppers, marigolds

Keep away from: fennel

Other nightshades for Zone 9a

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.

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