When to plant pepper in zone 6b — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 6B

Growing SeasonZone 6b

Last frost ~Apr 20First frost ~Oct 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

FEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCT

Start indoors Feb 23 · Transplant May 4 · First harvest Jul 13 · Wrap by Sep 21

Last spring frostApr 20

Start seeds indoorsFeb 23

Transplant outMay 4

First harvestJul 13

Last harvestSep 21

First fall frostOct 15

Why these dates work in zone 6b

Zone 6b's last spring frost averages Apr 20 and first fall frost Oct 15 — about 178 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 6b?

Pepper matures in about 70–90 days from transplanting. In zone 6b that means setting plants out around May 4 and first picking around Jul 13.

Will pepper survive frost in zone 6b?

No — pepper is frost-sensitive. In zone 6b, wait until after the last frost (around Apr 20) to plant, and harvest before the first fall frost (around Oct 15).

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