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When to Plant Eggplant in Tucker County, WV

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.

Tucker County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 2,047 feet, Tucker County receives approximately 52.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Eggplant to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Eggplant root diseases.

Tucker County, WV (Zone 5b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Tucker County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 11

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Eggplant needs ~919 GDD — county provides 2,131 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline โ€” Tucker County, WV

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
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 5b

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for Tucker 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 Tucker County, WV?

Tucker County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tucker County, WV?

Tucker County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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