When to plant bell peppers in Missouri
Missouri’s average last spring frost is April 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 18 — about 186 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Bell Pepper needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Missouri's growing season.
When to plant bell peppers in Missouri: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 22 – May 9, with seeds started indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow bell peppers in Missouri, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 11 – Feb 25). Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 7-14 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 82°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 12 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 22 – May 9). Space plants about 18 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, flea beetle, pepper maggot, tomato hornworm. Diseases and disorders: bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, blossom-end rot (calcium disorder), phytophthora blight.
- Harvest (from about Jun 28 – Jul 28). Bell Pepper takes 60-90 days to reach harvest. Needs warm soil; wait until nights stay above 55 F to transplant. Green peppers are just unripe coloured peppers left another 2-3 weeks.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Missouri’s average frost dates. More in the full bell pepper growing guide.
Bell Pepper planting dates by USDA zone in Missouri
Missouri spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the bell pepper dates shift with them.
When to plant bell peppers in nearby states
Questions gardeners in Missouri ask
When is the best time to plant bell peppers in Missouri?
Plant bell pepper transplants outdoors in Missouri between April 22 and May 9. That timing is set by Missouri's average last spring frost of April 15.
When should I start bell pepper seeds indoors in Missouri?
Start seeds indoors between February 11 and February 25, about 8 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 22.
What is the latest I can plant bell peppers in Missouri?
About August 19. Bell peppers need at least 60 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around October 18 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will bell peppers planted in Missouri be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bell peppers are usually ready from about June 28 to July 28, 60-90 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Missouri?
On average around April 15, with the first fall frost around October 18 - about 186 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.