Rainline Garden

When to plant eggplant in Portland, OR

Start eggplant from seed indoors Mar 1–15, then plant the young plants in the garden in Portland May 10–31.

Tricky here Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Portland's typical last spring frost is March 13. Frost kills eggplant, and warm-season crops also need warm soil. Soil here stays cold for weeks after the last frost, so planting waits until about May 10.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

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 1–15 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 May 10–31, 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 Portland, OR?

Typically March 13. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 1. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Portland International Airport.

Is it too late to plant eggplant in Portland?

The spring planting window runs through May 31. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around November 19.

When should I start eggplant from seed indoors in Portland?

March 1 to March 15, which is 10 to 8 weeks before the May 10 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Portland around the same time

Planting dates for eggplant in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Portland · Eggplant in every city