When to plant eggplant in Montana

Plant out in Billings

May 18–Jun 1

Across Montana the window opens between May 18 and June 27. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Billings: Feb 23–Mar 9
Plant out, Billings: May 18–Jun 1
Last sowing for a harvest: Jun 30
Last frost, Billings: May 4

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost. Eggplant sulks in cool weather. Black plastic mulch warms the soil.

Eggplant planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

BillingsMay 18–Jun 1

MissoulaMay 24–Jun 7

Great FallsMay 20–Jun 3

BozemanJun 9–Jun 23

Butte-Silver BowJun 27–Jul 11

HelenaMay 23–Jun 6

KalispellJun 14–Jun 28

In Butte-Silver Bow the frost-free season is shorter than eggplant need. Start plants indoors and pick early varieties.

Questions

When should I plant eggplant in Montana?

In Billings, plant out from May 18 to June 1. Across Montana the window opens between May 18 and June 27, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

Is the season long enough for eggplant everywhere in Montana?

Not quite. In Butte-Silver Bow the frost-free season is shorter than the time eggplant need to ripen. Start plants indoors and pick an early variety.