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When to Plant Eggplant in Lincoln County, KY

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.

Lincoln County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 2,190 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 48.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season.

Lincoln County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 27 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 23

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Eggplant needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,447 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, KY

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 โ€“ Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 10
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 6b

Growing Season

197 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, KY?

Lincoln County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, KY?

Lincoln County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.