When to plant peppers in California
California spans USDA hardiness zones 5a-11. Average last spring frost: varies by region. This calendar gives you the indoor start, transplant, and direct-sow dates for Capsicum annuum.
California planting dates for peppers
Dates for California vary significantly by region. Use the average frost date lookup for your specific ZIP code, then apply the standard offsets: start peppers indoors 10 weeks before your last frost; transplant 2 weeks after last frost;
Why these dates
Peppers are slower than tomatoes and even more heat-loving. Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only after nights stay above 55F.
The dates above are anchored to California's average last spring frost date (which varies by region within the state), with offsets standard across university Extension publications. For zone-specific local timing, use the frost date lookup tool with your ZIP code.
More on growing peppers
The full growing guide for peppers - varieties, soil, fertilization, pests, harvest, storage - is here: Peppers growing guide.
More California planting information
- Full California planting calendar (all crops + ornamentals)
- Find your exact USDA zone by ZIP
- Look up your average frost dates
- Seed starting timeline calculator