When to Plant Peppers in Missouri
In Missouri, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Apr 15 – Apr 29 in St. Louis to May 3 – May 17 in St. Joseph. In Kansas City, it's Apr 18 – May 2. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 1 in St. Louis, Apr 19 in St. Joseph), 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 Missouri by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold | 7a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Ballwin | 7a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Belton | 6b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Blue Springs | 6b | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Cape Girardeau | 7a | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Chesterfield | 7a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Columbia | 6b | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Creve Coeur | 7a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Farmington | 6b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Florissant | 7a | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Gladstone | 6b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Grandview | 6b | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Hazelwood | 7a | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Independence | 6b | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Jefferson City | 6b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Joplin | 7a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Kansas City | 6b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Kirkwood | 7a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Lake St. Louis | 6b | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Lee's Summit | 6b | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Liberty | 6a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Maryland Heights | 7a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Nixa | 6b | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| O'Fallon | 6b | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Ozark | 6b | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Raymore | 6b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Raytown | 6b | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Republic | 6b | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Rolla | 6b | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Sedalia | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Springfield | 7a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| St. Charles | 6b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| St. Joseph | 6a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| St. Louis | 7a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| St. Peters | 6b | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| University City | 7a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Warrensburg | 6b | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Webster Groves | 7a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Wentzville | 6b | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Wildwood | 7a | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
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 Missouri, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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