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When to Plant Eggplant in Queen Anne's 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.

Queen Anne's County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 479 feet, Queen Anne's County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season.

Queen Anne's County, MD (Zone 7a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Queen Anne's County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 27 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 7

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 100 gal / 100 sq ft
Eggplant needs ~1,481 GDD — county provides 4,345 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline — Queen Anne's County, MD

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 27 Jan 27 – Feb 10
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 28
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 – Aug 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

65–85 days

Soil pH

5.5 – 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

220 days

Growing Tips for Queen Anne's 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 Queen Anne's County, MD?

Queen Anne's County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Queen Anne's County, MD?

Queen Anne's County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Queen Anne's County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Queen Anne's County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.