When to plant bell peppers in Washington
Washington’s average last spring frost is April 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 15 — about 178 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Bell Pepper needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Washington's growing season.
Washington 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 Washington: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 27 – May 14, with seeds started indoors Feb 16 – Mar 2. 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 Washington, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 16 – Mar 2). 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 27 – May 14). 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 3 – Aug 2). 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 Washington’s average frost dates. More in the full bell pepper growing guide.
Bell Pepper planting dates by USDA zone in Washington
Washington spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant bell pepper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 17 – Jun 3 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 27 – Mar 16 |
When to plant bell peppers in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (this page) | April 20 | Apr 27 – May 14 |
| Oregon | April 20 | Apr 27 – May 14 |
Questions gardeners in Washington ask
When is the best time to plant bell peppers in Washington?
Plant bell pepper transplants outdoors in Washington between April 27 and May 14. That timing is set by Washington's average last spring frost of April 20; Washington spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start bell pepper seeds indoors in Washington?
Start seeds indoors between February 16 and March 2, about 8 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 27.
What is the latest I can plant bell peppers in Washington?
About August 16. Bell peppers need at least 60 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around October 15 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will bell peppers planted in Washington be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, bell peppers are usually ready from about July 3 to August 2, 60-90 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Washington?
On average around April 20, with the first fall frost around October 15 - about 178 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.