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When to Plant Eggplant in Cass County, NE

Eggplant

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.

Cass County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 779 feet, Cass County receives approximately 20.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Eggplant during the growing season.

Cass County, NE (Zone 6a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Eggplant to Grow

4-6 lbs
Average yield per plant
2
Plants per person
4 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 8 eggplant plants in about 16 sq ft. In Cass County's 172-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Eggplant Planting Timeline — Cass County, NE

Eggplant Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 – May 20
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 – May 20
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 – Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

65–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

172 days in Cass County

Growing Tips for Cass 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Eggplant in Cass County, NE?

Cass County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Eggplant planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, NE?

Cass County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

🌱

Your Cass County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cass County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cass County, NE. 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.