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When to plant Eggplant in Phillips County County,

Spring Eggplant in Phillips County County goes in March 21–April 11, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing.

When to Plant Eggplant in Phillips County, AR

Eggplant
Phillips County, Arkansas Zone 8a June

This month in Phillips County, Arkansas

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 14
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Harvest eggplant as they ripen

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: eggplant

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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.

Phillips County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 678 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season.

Phillips County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12
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Phillips County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Eggplant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 5 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 10 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 1

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 Phillips County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.7) is within Eggplant's preferred range (5.5–7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Phillips County is excellent for Eggplant — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Eggplant.

How to Plant Eggplant

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

Succession Planting Eggplant

4
successive plantings in your 243-day season

Sow every 7.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 19 to harvest before frost.

Eggplant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 612 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.8" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.8" 3.9" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
May 4.8" 4.4" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.8" 4.4" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.8" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.8" 4.3" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.8" 3.2" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.8" 2.9" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.8" 3.6" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Phillips County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~1,481 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline — Phillips County, AR

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 10 Jan 10 – Jan 24
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 11
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 – Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

65–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

243 days in Phillips County

Growing Tips for Eggplant in Phillips County

Direct sow Eggplant outdoors after March 14 in Phillips 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 Phillips County, AR?

Phillips County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phillips County, AR?

Phillips County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

When should I plant Eggplant in Phillips County County, ?

In Phillips County County, , plant Eggplant after the last frost (around March 14) and before the first frost (around November 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Phillips County County, for Eggplant?

Phillips County County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Eggplant grows reliably in zones 5a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Eggplant grow in Phillips County County's climate?

Yes — Eggplant grows well in Phillips County County's temperate climate. Phillips County County averages a 243-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 14 and first frost around November 12.

🌱

Your Phillips County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Phillips County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Phillips County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.