The best time to plant peppers depends on your climate and local frost dates, but here are the key guidelines:
- Start pepper seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date. This is usually in late winter or early spring (January to March depending on your zone).
- Transplant pepper seedlings outdoors about 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost, when the soil has warmed to at least 65°F (18°C).
- Peppers need full sun, well-drained soil, and warmth to thrive. Avoid planting them too early if frost or cold temperatures are still a risk.
- If you grow peppers outdoors, wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C) or even 59°F (15°C) as they prefer warm conditions.
- To get the best results, harden off seedlings before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a week or more after frost danger has passed.
- In short-season or cooler climates, starting indoors and transplanting at the right time is especially critical to get a good harvest.
In summary, the typical planting time outdoors is about 2-3 weeks after the last frost date, with seeds started indoors about 8-10 weeks before that. Pay attention to soil temperature and frost risk to avoid setbacks.
