When to Plant Peppers in Oregon
In Oregon, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Mar 7 – Mar 21 in Coos Bay to Jun 23 – Jul 7 in Redmond. In Portland, it's Mar 11 – Mar 25. The average last spring frost differs by about 15 weeks across the state (Feb 21 in Coos Bay, Jun 9 in Redmond), 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 Oregon by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 8b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Ashland | 8a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Beaverton | 9a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Bend | 6b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 |
| Canby | 8b | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Central Point | 8b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Coos Bay | 9a | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Cornelius | 8b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Corvallis | 8b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Dallas | 8b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Eugene | 8b | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Forest Grove | 8b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Grants Pass | 8b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Gresham | 9a | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Happy Valley | 8b | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Hermiston | 7b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Hillsboro | 8b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Keizer | 8b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Klamath Falls | 6b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
| Lake Oswego | 9a | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Lebanon | 8b | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| McMinnville | 8b | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Medford | 8b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Milwaukie | 9a | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Newberg | 8b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Oregon City | 9a | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Pendleton | 7a | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Portland | 8b | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Redmond | 6b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
| Roseburg | 8b | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Salem | 8b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Sherwood | 8b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Springfield | 8b | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| The Dalles | 8a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Tigard | 9a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Troutdale | 9a | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Tualatin | 9a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| West Linn | 9a | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Wilsonville | 8b | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Woodburn | 8b | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
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 Oregon, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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