When to Plant Eggplant in Portsmouth, Virginia (23708)

Location

Portsmouth, Virginia

ZIP Code

23708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, March 15, 2026

📅 Planting Calendar

Start Seeds Indoors Sunday, January 18, 2026

Transplant Outdoors Sunday, March 29, 2026

Pro Tip: Start Eggplant seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Solanum melongena

Days to Maturity 70 days

Mature Height 24-36"

Spread 24"

Type Bush

Fruit Size Medium (4-8 inches)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1 inch/week)

↔️

Spacing

24" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Eggplant in Portsmouth?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, January 18, 2026.

🛒 Buy on Amazon 🌿 True Leaf Market

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🤝 Good Companions

BeanPepperSpinachThyme

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

Other Plants for Portsmouth

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Eggplant in Zone 8b

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a popular garden vegetable. In Portsmouth, Virginia, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, you should start seeds indoors around Sunday, January 18, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, March 15, 2026. Plan to transplant your Eggplant seedlings outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.