When to plant bell peppers in Virginia
Virginia’s average last spring frost is April 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 188 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Bell Pepper needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Virginia's growing season.
Virginia covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant bell peppers in Virginia: 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full bell pepper growing guide.
Bell Pepper planting dates by USDA zone in Virginia
Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia (this page) | April 15 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Apr 27 – May 14 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Apr 21 – May 8 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Apr 21 – May 8 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Apr 17 – May 4 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | May 12 – May 29 |
Questions gardeners in Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant bell peppers in Virginia?
Plant bell pepper transplants outdoors in Virginia between April 22 and May 9. That timing is set by Virginia's average last spring frost of April 15; Virginia spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start bell pepper seeds indoors in Virginia?
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 Virginia?
About August 21. Bell peppers need at least 60 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around October 20 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will bell peppers planted in Virginia 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 Virginia?
On average around April 15, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 188 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.