Rainline Garden

When to plant eggplant in Klamath Falls, OR

Start eggplant from seed indoors Mar 31 – Apr 14, then plant the young plants in the garden in Klamath Falls Jun 9–30.

Tricky here Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Klamath Falls's typical last spring frost is June 9. Frost kills eggplant, so planting starts once frost risk drops, around June 9. Keep row cover or a frost blanket handy for the first couple of weeks, since a late frost is still possible.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty
Tricky here
Sun
Full sun; the hottest spot you have
Spacing
18 to 24 inches apart
Planting depth
Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot
Frost
Killed by frost
First harvest
About 80 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Start seeds indoors Mar 31 – Apr 14 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
  2. Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
  3. Plant them in the garden Jun 9–30, 18 to 24 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
  4. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
  5. Harvest: Pick when the skin is glossy and springs back when pressed. Dull skin means it's overripe and seedy.

Varieties that do well here

  • Hansel (early, small fruit)
  • Fairy Tale
  • Orient Express

Watch out for

Flea beetles riddle young leaves, and cool nights stall growth. Keep row cover on until plants are growing strongly.

Needs even more heat than peppers. Small-fruited, early varieties do best west of the Cascades, helped by black plastic mulch or a warm wall. Hot eastern valleys grow them easily.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Klamath Falls, OR?

Typically June 9. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 26. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Klamath Falls Airport.

Is it too late to plant eggplant in Klamath Falls?

The spring planting window runs through June 30. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around September 18.

When should I start eggplant from seed indoors in Klamath Falls?

March 31 to April 14, which is 10 to 8 weeks before the June 9 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Klamath Falls around the same time

Planting dates for eggplant in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Klamath Falls · Eggplant in every city