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When to Plant Eggplant in Huntington County, IN

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.

Huntington County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 666 feet, Huntington County receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season.

Huntington County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Huntington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Oct 6

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 157 gal / 100 sq ft
Eggplant needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,508 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline โ€” Huntington County, IN

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Sep 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

65โ€“85 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Huntington County

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 Huntington County, IN?

Huntington County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Huntington County, IN?

Huntington County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Huntington County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Huntington County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.