When to plant bell peppers in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s average last spring frost is May 13, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 25 — about 135 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a). Bell Pepper needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Hampshire's growing season.
When to plant bell peppers in New Hampshire: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 20 – Jun 6, with seeds started indoors Mar 11 – Mar 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 New Hampshire, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 11 – Mar 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 (May 20 – Jun 6). 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 Jul 26 – Aug 25). 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 New Hampshire’s average frost dates. More in the full bell pepper growing guide.
Bell Pepper planting dates by USDA zone in New Hampshire
New Hampshire spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. 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
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire (this page) | May 13 | May 20 – Jun 6 |
| Maine | May 14 | May 21 – Jun 7 |
| Vermont | May 14 | May 21 – Jun 7 |
| Massachusetts | April 24 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | May 2 – May 19 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | May 2 – May 19 |
| New York | May 1 | May 8 – May 25 |
Questions gardeners in New Hampshire ask
When is the best time to plant bell peppers in New Hampshire?
Plant bell pepper transplants outdoors in New Hampshire between May 20 and June 6. That timing is set by New Hampshire's average last spring frost of May 13.
When should I start bell pepper seeds indoors in New Hampshire?
Start seeds indoors between March 11 and March 25, about 8 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 20.
What is the latest I can plant bell peppers in New Hampshire?
About July 27. Bell peppers need at least 60 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around September 25 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will bell peppers planted in New Hampshire be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bell peppers are usually ready from about July 26 to August 25, 60-90 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in New Hampshire?
On average around May 13, with the first fall frost around September 25 - about 135 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.