Zone 7a covers 30 days of last-frost dates. We measured Fayetteville, AR at Mar 31 and Ogden, UT at Apr 30. Give us your town or ZIP and we'll use ten years of daily lows recorded at your own coordinates instead of the middle of that range.
Why these dates work in zone 7a
Zone 7a's last spring frost averages Apr 13 and first fall frost Nov 12 — about 213 frost-free days. Eggplant is frost-sensitive, so the 3w after frost timing builds in a safety margin against a late cold snap — setting plants out too early risks losing them to frost. Starting seeds indoors 8 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms.
Common questions
How long does eggplant take to grow in zone 7a?
Eggplant matures in about 70–90 days from transplanting. In zone 7a that means setting plants out around May 4 and first picking around Jul 13.
Will eggplant survive frost in zone 7a?
No — eggplant is frost-sensitive. In zone 7a, wait until after the last frost (around Apr 13) to plant, and harvest before the first fall frost (around Nov 12).
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full eggplant growing guide →