Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Eggplant in Washington

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

The Short Answer

Eggplant in Washington State follows the extreme east-west divide. Eastern Washington's hot, dry summers grow magnificent eggplant with minimal effort. Western Washington is one of the most challenging places in the country for eggplant — even more difficult than tomatoes, because eggplant demands consistently warm nights that the Puget Sound climate rarely delivers.

Washington Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Western Washington (Seattle/Tacoma) 8a, 8b Mar 25 - Apr 15 Oct 25 - Nov 15
Puget Sound 8b, 9a Mar 15 - Apr 5 Nov 1 - Nov 20
Eastern Washington 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a Apr 25 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 15
Central Washington 6a, 6b, 7a Apr 20 - May 10 Oct 1 - Oct 20

Eggplant Planting Schedule for Washington

Western Washington (Seattle/Tacoma) (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 15 · Average first frost: Oct 25 - Nov 15

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks after frost

Puget Sound (Zones 8b, 9a)

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

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks after frost

Eastern Washington (Zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 25 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 15

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks after frost

Central Washington (Zones 6a, 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 20 - May 10 · Average first frost: Oct 1 - Oct 20

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks after frost

Growing Eggplant in Washington

State-Specific Growing Tips

Eastern Washington: transplant from mid-May. Hot days, cool nights, and intense sun produce excellent eggplant. The volcanic soils with drip irrigation are ideal. Western Washington: attempt only in containers against south-facing walls. Transplant in mid-June. Use black plastic mulch and row cover. Asian varieties are the only realistic option. Even with every trick, production is often disappointing. If your western Washington garden can't produce tomatoes, don't attempt eggplant.

Recommended Varieties for Washington

Eastern Washington: the full range — Black Beauty, Rosa Bianca, Ichiban, Orient Express, Thai varieties. Western Washington: Ichiban (58 days) and Millionaire (55 days) are the only realistic options, and success depends on a warm summer. WSU Extension does not specifically recommend eggplant for western Washington.

Common Challenges in Washington

Western Washington: insufficient heat is the fundamental and often insurmountable challenge. Flea beetles attack in both regions. Eastern Washington: spider mites in hot, dry conditions. Minimal disease pressure in the dry climate. Western Washington: slugs on seedlings; cool nights causing blossom drop.

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 in Washington with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — Western Washington (Seattle/Tacoma) gardeners work with a last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 15, while Central Washington sees frost end around Apr 20 - May 10. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Eggplant Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Washington Planting Calendar All plants for Washington Eggplant in Alabama Alabama planting dates Eggplant in Alaska Alaska planting dates Eggplant in Arizona Arizona planting dates Eggplant in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
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

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