When to plant Pepper in Zone 5a
In Zone 5a, Pepper: start seeds indoors around Mar 3–Mar 17; transplant outdoors around May 19–May 26. Expect to harvest around Aug 7–Aug 14.
| Step | When |
|---|---|
| Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Transplant outdoors | May 19 – May 26 |
| Harvest | Aug 7 – Aug 14 |
Tip: Peppers love heat and are slow to start — give them an early indoor start and warm soil at transplant.
Zone 5a averages a last spring frost around May 5 and a first fall frost around Oct 1. These are zone averages — look up your ZIP for your exact area.
See the full Zone 5a calendar in the tool →