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When to plant eggplant in Zone 5a
Your eggplant timeline — Zone 5a
| Start indoors | April 4 – April 18 |
|---|---|
| Transplant | May 23 – June 6 |
| Zone 5a last frost | ~05/12 |
| Zone 5a first frost | ~10/01 |
Dates computed from Zone 5a's median NOAA frost normals and the cited rule. Your town may differ by a week or two — check your exact ZIP.
What you'll need
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Seed-starting traysBurpee SuperSeed 36-cell trayReusable cells that pop seedlings out with the roots intact at transplant time.See it on Amazon- Seed-starting mixEspoma Organic Seed StarterA fine, sterile mix so small seeds can push through and seedlings don't rot.See it on Amazon
- Heat matVIVOSUN heat mat with thermostatWarm-season seeds sprout in days instead of weeks when the soil sits near 75–85°F.See it on Amazon
- Grow lightBarrina T5 LED grow lights, 4-packA windowsill is too dim in late winter; a light 2–3 in. above keeps seedlings short and sturdy.See it on Amazon
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Calendar computed 2026-09-28. Frost: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020. Zone: USDA 2023. Rule: University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension — “Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden”; University of Georgia Extension — Vegetable Planting Chart (Circular C963) (days to maturity).