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When to Plant Eggplant in Morrow 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.

Morrow County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 2,335 feet, Morrow County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season.

Morrow County, OR (Zone 6a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Morrow 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 (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Oct 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
0.5″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,464 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Eggplant needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 2,768 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline โ€” Morrow County, OR

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
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

173 days

Growing Tips for Morrow 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 Morrow County, OR?

Morrow County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morrow County, OR?

Morrow County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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