When to Plant Peppers in Idaho
In Idaho, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Apr 20 – May 4 in Lewiston to Jun 6 – Jun 20 in Shelley. In Boise City, it's May 8 – May 22. The average last spring frost differs by about 7 weeks across the state (Apr 6 in Lewiston, May 23 in Shelley), 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 Idaho by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammon | 5b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Blackfoot | 5b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Boise City | 7a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Burley | 6b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Caldwell | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Chubbuck | 6b | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Eagle | 7a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Emmett | 7a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Fruitland | 7a | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Garden City | 7a | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 31 – Jun 14 |
| Hailey | 6a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 |
| Hayden | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Idaho Falls | 5b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Jerome | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Kimberly | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Kuna | 7a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Lewiston | 7a | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Meridian | 7a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Middleton | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Moscow | 6b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Mountain Home | 7a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Nampa | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Payette | 7a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Pocatello | 6a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Post Falls | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Preston | 6a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 |
| Rathdrum | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Rexburg | 5a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 |
| Rigby | 5b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Rupert | 6a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Sandpoint | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Shelley | 5b | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 |
| Star | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Twin Falls | 7a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Weiser | 7a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
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 Idaho, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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