When to Plant Peppers in Connecticut
In Connecticut, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Apr 19 – May 3 in Bridgeport to May 22 – Jun 5 in Torrington. In Bridgeport, it's Apr 19 – May 3. The average last spring frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Apr 5 in Bridgeport, May 8 in Torrington), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in Connecticut by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ansonia | 6b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Bridgeport | 7a | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Bristol | 6b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Danbury | 6b | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Derby | 6b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Groton | 7a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Hartford | 6b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Meriden | 6b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Middletown | 6b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Milford city | 7a | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Naugatuck | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| New Britain | 6b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 |
| New Haven | 7a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 |
| New London | 7a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Norwalk | 7a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Norwich | 6b | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Shelton | 6b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Stamford | 7a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Torrington | 6a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Waterbury | 6b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| West Haven | 7a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Connecticut, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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