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When to Plant Eggplant in Emery County, UT

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.

Emery County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 7,259 feet, Emery County receives approximately 15.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Eggplant successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Emery County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Emery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 25
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Oct 5
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 27

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 860 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Eggplant needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,007 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline โ€” Emery County, UT

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 8
Direct Sow May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 8
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Oct 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Emery 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 Emery County, UT?

Emery County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Emery County, UT?

Emery County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Emery County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Emery County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.