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When to Plant Eggplant in Lamar County, TX

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.

Lamar County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 95 feet, Lamar County receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Eggplant will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Eggplant root diseases.

Lamar County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
245 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
245 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Lamar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 3 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 11 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3

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 ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,471 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline โ€” Lamar County, TX

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 11 Jan 11 โ€“ Jan 25
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors 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

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 7b

Growing Season

245 days

Growing Tips for Lamar 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 Lamar County, TX?

Lamar County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lamar County, TX?

Lamar County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 15.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lamar County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Lamar County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.