When to plant Eggplant in Lake County, Florida, United States

Eggplant can be planted after March 22, when air temperature is consistently in a range between 55°F and 105°F and soil temperature is above 45°F.

Growing Eggplant in Lake County

Lake County has on average 252 days, suitable for growing Eggplant. Eggplant needs on average between 65 and 80 days to mature and produce harvest. With 252 days suitable for growing, you can expect good harvest without too much effort if all planting activities are done in timely manner.

Eggplant seeds can be planted between March 22 and September 24. Planting before March 22 without any additional protection is not advised because cold streaks can damage or kill off young plant. When planting after September 24, Eggplant will not have enough time to mature and produce harvest.

Growing season extention

In order to maximize chances for a good harvest of Eggplant in Lake County, some extra steps can be taken to extend growing season.

Start seeds indoors

When starting seeds indoors, it is possible to guarantee best possible conditions for young seedlings. Consistent temperature range, adequate watering and ample light (natural, supplemented with artifitial grow lights) will ensure you have strong and healthy seedlings just in time for transplanting into soil.

It takes 42 days on average for Eggplant to sprout, and grow big enough to be ready for transplanting.

Lake County has 2 distinct seasons for growing Eggplant

• In order to get plants ready for February 16 seeds should be started indoors bwetween January 05 and January 14

  Seeds started after January 14 are not likely to mature and produce harvest.

  This Eggplant growing season in Lake County is quite short, with only 33 days suitable for growth so it is really important to time your planting activities, and choose varieties with shorter time to harvest requirements.

• In order to get plants ready for March 22 seeds should be started indoors bwetween February 08 and September 09

  Seeds started after September 09 are not likely to mature and produce harvest.

  Eggplant needs on average between 65 and 80 days to mature and produce harvest. With 252 suitable for growth, you can expect good harvest without too much effort if all planting activities are done in timely manner.

Use a cold frame

When using a cold frame in a beggining of growing season You can protect young plants from possible temperature drops, this way growing season can start up to 2 weeks earlier.

Use an additional shading

On days, when air temperatures are expected to raise above 105°F, which is in top of tolerable range for Eggplant, consider using additional shading to prevent heat shock.

Table with days suitable to grow vegetables in Lake County, Florida