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When to Plant Eggplant in Fulton County, AR

Eggplant is a heat-loving solanaceous crop that produces glossy fruits in purple, white, or striped varieties. It requires long, warm growing seasons for best production.

Fulton County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 793 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season.

Fulton County, AR (Zone 6b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 15

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Fulton County

How your county's soil matches Eggplant's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“6.6) is within Eggplant's preferred range (5.5โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Fulton County is excellent for Eggplant โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Eggplant.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Eggplant.

How to Plant Eggplant

1"
Planting Depth
30"
Between Plants
42"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Eggplant

3
successive plantings in your 206-day season

Sow every 7.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Eggplant needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,987 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline โ€” Fulton County, AR

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 24 Jan 24 โ€“ Feb 7
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 29

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

65โ€“85 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

206 days in Fulton County

Growing Tips for Eggplant in Fulton County

Direct sow Eggplant outdoors after April 04 in Fulton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Eggplant in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only after nighttime temperatures stay above 55F. Mulch to retain moisture and warmth around roots.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel
  • Kohlrabi

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Eggplant in Fulton County, AR?

Fulton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, AR?

Fulton County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fulton County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Fulton County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.