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When to Plant Eggplant in Coos County, OR

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.

Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.

At an elevation of 96 feet, Coos County receives approximately 38.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season.

Coos County, OR (Zone 8b) Long season
242 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
242 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Coos County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 3 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 18 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 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.

Soil Compatibility in Coos County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.8) overlaps with Eggplant's range (5.5โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.7%) โ€” Eggplant will thrive.

How to Plant Eggplant

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

Succession Planting Eggplant

4
successive plantings in your 242-day season

Sow every 7.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 919 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Eggplant

Eggplant needs approximately 1.1 inches of water per week (4.8" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Eggplant Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 5.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.8" 4.4" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.8" 3.1" 1.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.8" 2.3" 2.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.8" 1.6" 3.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.8" 0.6" 4.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.8" 0.8" 4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.8" 1.4" 3.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.8" 3.3" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.8" 5.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 5.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Coos County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Eggplant Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Eggplant needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 4,053 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline โ€” Coos County, OR

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 18 Jan 18 โ€“ Feb 1
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
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 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

65โ€“85 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

242 days in Coos County

Growing Tips for Eggplant in Coos County

Direct sow Eggplant outdoors after March 22 in Coos 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Eggplant in Coos County, OR?

Coos County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coos County, OR?

Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Coos County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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