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When to Plant Eggplant in Garrett County, MD

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.

Garrett County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 21 feet, Garrett County receives approximately 41.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season.

Garrett County, MD (Zone 6a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Garrett 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 (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 16

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 ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,365 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline โ€” Garrett County, MD

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Sep 22

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 6a

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Garrett 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 Garrett County, MD?

Garrett County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Garrett County, MD?

Garrett County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Garrett County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Garrett County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.