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SowingDates

When to plant pepper

Vegetable, tender

Clemson's FAQ says sow 8 weeks before the last frost, and its seed-starting sheet says peppers need 8–10 weeks to reach transplant size; set out after frost, or about 2 weeks later in CSU's very-tender group. Days are from transplant; Wisconsin's planting minimum is 65°F versus CSU's 60°F germination minimum.

Green and ripening red peppers on the plant

The general rule

Start indoors
8–10 weeks before the last spring frost
Transplant outdoors
0–2 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant when soil reaches
65°F
Days to maturity
60–70 days

What that means in different climates

The same rule applied to the safer frost dates of cities from cold to frost-free.

Pepper planting dates in example cities
CityLast frost · saferStart indoorsTransplant outdoors
San Jose, CAJan 23Nov 14 – Nov 28Jan 23 – Feb 6
Tucson, AZMar 2Dec 22 – Jan 5Mar 2 – Mar 16
Portland, ORMar 21Jan 10 – Jan 24Mar 21 – Apr 4
Baltimore, MDApr 4Jan 24 – Feb 7Apr 4 – Apr 18
New York, NYApr 12Feb 1 – Feb 15Apr 12 – Apr 26
Nashville, TNApr 16Feb 5 – Feb 19Apr 16 – Apr 30
Louisville, KYApr 23Feb 12 – Feb 26Apr 23 – May 7
Omaha, NEMay 6Feb 25 – Mar 11May 6 – May 20
Colorado Springs, COMay 15Mar 6 – Mar 20May 15 – May 29
Miami, FLFrost rareFrost is rare: late winter to spring; late summer to fall (soil 65°F+).

Sources