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Can You Grow Eggplant in Rhode Island?

US · USDA Zone 6b · zones 6a, 6b

Grows well here

Eggplant grows well here with the warm season your zone provides.

Plant zones

5a–11b

Rhode Island last frost

mid-March

Rhode Island first frost

mid-November

Days to harvest

65–80 days

When to plant Eggplants in Rhode Island

Start indoors

Jan 17

Transplant

Mar 15

Harvest

May 19 – Jun 3

Dates are approximate, based on Rhode Island's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Eggplant

Eggplant needs a long warm season and maximum heat — more demanding than tomatoes but highly productive in the right conditions.

Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost — eggplant needs a long head start. Needs hot conditions to set fruit. Use black plastic mulch to warm soil. Very productive once established in heat.

Full eggplant growing guide →

Gardening in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a humid continental climate moderated by the ocean. A small state with a single primary zone of 6b in most areas. Four seasons with a productive growing window.

See what grows well in Rhode Island →

Frequently asked questions

Can you grow Eggplant in Rhode Island?

Eggplant grows well here with the warm season your zone provides.

What zone is Rhode Island?

Rhode Island spans USDA Zone 6b (6a, 6b).

When do you plant Eggplants in Rhode Island?

Plant Eggplants around mid-March (start indoors Jan 17), harvest May 19 – Jun 3.