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When to Plant Eggplant in Warrick County, IN

Warrick County, Indiana Zone 7a May

Your May game plan for Warrick County, Indiana

May is a pivotal month for Warrick County, Indiana gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost October 28
Soil temp (4") 65°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
Get ahead of June
  • Starting indoors: eggplant
  • 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.

Warrick County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 967 feet, Warrick County receives approximately 36.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season.

Warrick County, IN (Zone 7a) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28
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Warrick County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 14

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 Warrick County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.7) is within Eggplant's preferred range (5.5–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Eggplant.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (4.0%). Annual compost additions will help Eggplant.

How to Plant Eggplant

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

Succession Planting Eggplant

3
successive plantings in your 205-day season

Sow every 7.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 04 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,498 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.8" 2.9" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
May 4.8" 4.5" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.8" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.8" 4.3" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.8" 3.5" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.8" 2.9" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.8" 3.1" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Warrick 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 ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,972 GDD Excellent fit

Eggplant Planting Timeline — Warrick County, IN

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 – May 4
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 – Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

65–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

205 days in Warrick County

Growing Tips for Eggplant in Warrick County

Direct sow Eggplant outdoors after April 06 in Warrick 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 Warrick County, IN?

Warrick County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Warrick County, IN?

Warrick County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Your Warrick County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Warrick County (Zone 7a). 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 Warrick County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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