When to plant pepper in zone 8b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8B

Growing SeasonZone 8b

Last frost ~Mar 15First frost ~Nov 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors Jan 18 · Transplant Mar 29 · First harvest Jun 7 · Wrap by Aug 16

Last spring frostMar 15

Start seeds indoorsJan 18

Transplant outMar 29

First harvestJun 7

Last harvestAug 16

First fall frostNov 15

Why these dates work in zone 8b

Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 15 — about 245 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 8b?

Pepper matures in about 70–90 days from transplanting. In zone 8b that means setting plants out around Mar 29 and first picking around Jun 7.

Will pepper survive frost in zone 8b?

No — pepper is frost-sensitive. In zone 8b, wait until after the last frost (around Mar 15) to plant, and harvest before the first fall frost (around Nov 15).

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