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 | Nov 20 | Jan 29 | Apr 19 |
| Zone 2 | Dec 21 | 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.
What sets the timing for peppers
When to plant peppers comes down to one date: your last spring frost. Peppers is a warm crop, so it goes in about 2 weeks after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 29.
Give it a head start: sow seeds indoors about 8 weeks before your last spring frost (around Feb 18 in zone 5), then move seedlings out once conditions are right. From there it's roughly 80 days to harvest.
Because that anchor date moves with climate, plant-out for peppers ranges from about Mar 24 in warm zone 3 to May 29 in cold zone 7. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for the exact dates in your zone.
What sets the timing
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Frost anchor | Timing counts from your last spring frost |
| Hardiness | Peppers is warm — it waits until the soil warms after frost |
| Indoor start | Start seeds 8 weeks before your last spring frost |
| Days to harvest | About 80 days from planting to harvest |
| Climate zone | Higher (colder) zones push plant-out later; warmer zones let you start sooner |
| Soil & weather | Needs warm soil — cold, wet ground stunts or rots it |
How peppers compares
Plant-out date in a mid climate (zone 5), against an early hardy crop and a late tender one.
| Crop | Plant outside (zone 5) |
|---|---|
| Peas (hardy · plants early) | Mar 11 |
| Peppers | Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes (tender · plants late) | Apr 29 |
Tips for growing peppers
- Don't rush peppers outside — cold soil stalls it. Wait until after your last spring frost and, ideally, until nights stay mild.
- Give peppers a 8 weeks indoor head start under a bright light before transplanting.
- Count roughly 80 days from planting to harvest, and stagger sowings a few weeks apart for a longer picking window.
- Enter your ZIP in the calculator for peppers dates tuned to your exact climate zone.
Your exact dates
Open the planting calendarOther crops
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant peppers?
Plant peppers about 2 weeks after your last spring frost. 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 planting until first harvest. In zone 6, peppers planted around May 14 is typically ready near Aug 2.