Eggplant: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates

About eggplant

Eggplant rewards patient gardeners with glossy, meaty fruit perfect for grilling, roasting, and Mediterranean dishes throughout the warm months.

Spacing & yield

Eggplant wants 18×30 inches and about 6 lb per plant at ~80 days to maturity.

Growing tips

• Use black plastic mulch or dark row cover to warm the soil before transplanting.
• Provide consistent moisture; irregular watering causes bitter, pithy fruit.
• Stake plants once they set heavy fruit to prevent branch breakage.
• Harvest while skin is still glossy; dull skin indicates over-maturity and bitterness.

Common mistakes

• Transplanting into cool soil below 65 F, which stalls growth for weeks.
• Allowing flea beetles to defoliate young transplants by skipping row cover.
• Spacing too tightly below the 18-inch minimum, reducing airflow and yield.

Harvest & storage

Cut fruit with a sharp knife when skin is shiny and flesh springs back lightly, about 80 days from transplant.

Use within a few days; eggplant stores poorly but can be sliced, salted, and frozen for later cooking.

Companion planting

Good neighbors for eggplant: peppers, beans, spinach, thyme. Avoid planting beside: fennel, potatoes.

Planting calendar

Start indoors about 8 weeks before last frost, then transplant 2 weeks after frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).

Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.