Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Eggplant in Delaware

Beautiful purple fruits that love heat even more than tomatoes. Start early indoors for best results.

The Short Answer

In Delaware, eggplant planting dates vary by region. In Northern Delaware, your average last frost is around Apr 10 - Apr 25, while Southern Delaware sees its last frost around Apr 1 - Apr 15. Since eggplant are frost-sensitive, start seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost, then transplant outside 3 weeks after frost danger has passed. Sandy soils in south, clay loam in north. Generally well-drained. Slightly acidic.

Delaware Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Delaware you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Delaware	7a	Apr 10 - Apr 25	Oct 10 - Oct 25
Southern Delaware	7b	Apr 1 - Apr 15	Oct 20 - Nov 5

Eggplant Planting Schedule for Delaware

Northern Delaware (Zones 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 10 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Start Seeds Indoors

8 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

3 wks after frost

Southern Delaware (Zones 7b)

Average last frost: Apr 1 - Apr 15 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5

Start Seeds Indoors

8 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

3 wks after frost

Growing Eggplant in Delaware

Eggplant in Delaware's Climate

Eggplant grows well in your warmer microclimates with proper timing. Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Don't transplant until nighttime temperatures consistently exceed 60°F. Asian varieties produce more reliably than Italian globe types in your climate. Full sun in the warmest garden spot.

Soil Considerations for Delaware

Sandy soils in south, clay loam in north. Generally well-drained. Slightly acidic. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 70°F before planting eggplant outside.

Delaware Climate & Growing Season

Moderate climate with maritime influence. Good growing conditions for a wide range of vegetables. Eggplant cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across Delaware: Northern Delaware (7a) has a last frost around Apr 10 - Apr 25, while Southern Delaware (7b) sees frost end around Apr 1 - Apr 15. This difference matters for eggplant — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Harvest when skin is glossy and firm. Dull skin means overripe and seedy. Use row covers if nights are cool.

Companion Planting

Plant eggplant alongside these companions for better growth:

Peppers Beans Marigolds

Keep eggplant away from:

Fennel

The Bottom Line

Eggplant can be grown successfully across Delaware, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Delaware gardeners should plan around a Apr 10 - Apr 25 last frost, while those in Southern Delaware can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026