When to Plant Peppers in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Apr 13 – Apr 27 in Philadelphia to May 29 – Jun 12 in Hermitage. In Philadelphia, it's Apr 13 – Apr 27. The average last spring frost differs by about 7 weeks across the state (Mar 30 in Philadelphia, May 15 in Hermitage), 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 Pennsylvania by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | 7a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Altoona | 6b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Baldwin | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Bethel Park | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Bethlehem | 7a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Carlisle | 7a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Chambersburg | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Chester | 7b | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Easton | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Erie | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Franklin Park | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Greensburg | 6b | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Hanover | 7a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Harrisburg | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Hazleton | 6b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Hermitage | 6a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 |
| Indiana | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Johnstown | 6b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Lancaster | 7a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Lansdale | 7a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Lebanon | 7a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| McKeesport | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Monroeville | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Murrysville | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| New Castle | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Norristown | 7a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Philadelphia | 7b | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Phoenixville | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Pittsburgh | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Plum | 6b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Pottstown | 7a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Reading | 7a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Scranton | 6b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| State College | 6b | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| West Chester | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| West Mifflin | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Whitehall | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Wilkes-Barre | 7a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Williamsport | 6b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| York | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
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 Pennsylvania, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.