When to plant peppers
Short answer
Plant peppers about 2 weeks after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 29, starting seeds indoors about Feb 18. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jan 1 | Jan 29 | Apr 19 |
| Zone 2 | Jan 1 | Mar 1 | May 20 |
| Zone 3 | Jan 13 | Mar 24 | Jun 12 |
| Zone 4 | Feb 2 | Apr 13 | Jul 2 |
| Zone 5 | Feb 18 | Apr 29 | Jul 18 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 5 | May 14 | Aug 2 |
| Zone 7 | Mar 20 | May 29 | Aug 17 |
| Zone 8 | Apr 6 | Jun 15 | Sep 3 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Peppers is a warm crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
Your exact dates
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Frequently asked questions
When should I plant peppers?
Plant peppers about 2 weeks after your last spring frost, once the soil warms. That's around Apr 13 in zone 4 and May 14 in zone 6.
When do I start peppers seeds indoors?
Start peppers seeds indoors about 8 weeks before your last frost, then transplant after the frost passes. That's roughly Mar 5 in zone 6.
How long until peppers is ready to harvest?
About 80 days from transplant or sowing. In zone 6, plants set out around May 14 are typically ready near Aug 2.