When to plant pepper in zone 5b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5B

Growing SeasonZone 5b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Mar 20 · Transplant May 29 · First harvest Aug 7 · Wrap by Sep 23

Last spring frostMay 15

Start seeds indoorsMar 20

Transplant outMay 29

First harvestAug 7

Last harvestSep 23

First fall frostSep 30

Why these dates work in zone 5b

Zone 5b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 30 — about 138 frost-free days. Pepper is frost-sensitive, so the 2w after frost timing builds in a safety margin against a late cold snap — setting plants out too early risks losing them to frost. Starting seeds indoors 8 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms.

Common questions

How long does pepper take to grow in zone 5b?

Pepper matures in about 70–90 days from transplanting. In zone 5b that means setting plants out around May 29 and first picking around Aug 7.

Will pepper survive frost in zone 5b?

No — pepper is frost-sensitive. In zone 5b, wait until after the last frost (around May 15) to plant, and harvest before the first fall frost (around Sep 30).

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full pepper growing guide →