Planting dates
For Middle Georgia, UGA lists April 1 to May 15 for spring eggplant and July 10 to 15 for a fall crop. The chart calls dates approximate. Treat the short fall range as a planning prompt, then compare your variety’s maturity information with local frost risk before giving it garden space.
UGA: Home Gardening planting chartYour region
UGA says North Georgia spring planting is about 2 weeks later and fall planting about 2 weeks earlier than the Middle Georgia baseline. South Georgia can be about 2 weeks earlier in spring and somewhat later in fall. These directions do not create fixed county dates.
UGA: Vegetable Garden CalendarStart seed for your region
UGA says to start eggplant seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Its crop guide places that around the third week of February in South Georgia and the last week of March in North Georgia. Harden seedlings before moving them outdoors.
UGA: Home Garden EggplantHow to plant
Wait until frost danger has passed, the weather is consistently warm and the soil is 65 to 70°F. UGA lists eggplants 18 inches apart with at least 30 inches between rows. A local nursery transplant is a valid alternative to starting seed indoors.
UGA: Home Garden EggplantCheck a fall crop before planting
Eggplant continues producing until the first frost, according to UGA. Use the Middle Georgia fall date as a starting point, then check the maturity notation for the exact variety and your local first-frost outlook. That is a viability check, not a harvest promise.
UGA: Home Garden EggplantChoose your next step
The soil is still below 65°F or frost risk remains
Keep the transplant protected and wait for the warm-soil condition instead of following the calendar alone.You garden in North or South Georgia
Move the Middle Georgia baseline in UGA’s stated direction, then use a local Extension resource for a county-level decision.You want a fall crop
Start with the short published fall range, then compare cultivar maturity and your local first-frost outlook before planting.Planting questions
When should I start eggplant seeds indoors in Georgia?
UGA says 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, around the third week of February in South Georgia and the last week of March in North Georgia.
UGA: Home Garden EggplantCan I plant eggplant before the last frost?
No. UGA says to wait until frost danger has passed and the weather and soil are warm.
UGA: Home Garden EggplantHow far apart should eggplant transplants go?
UGA lists 18 inches between plants and at least 30 inches between rows.
UGA: Home Garden Eggplant