When to Plant Peppers in Vermont
In Vermont, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from May 13 – May 27 in Burlington to May 30 – Jun 13 in Barre. In Burlington, it's May 13 – May 27. The average last spring frost differs by about 2 weeks across the state (Apr 29 in Burlington, May 16 in Barre), 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 Vermont by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barre | 5a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 |
| Burlington | 5b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Essex Junction | 5a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Montpelier | 5a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Rutland | 5a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 |
| South Burlington | 5a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| St. Albans | 5a | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Winooski | 5a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
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 Vermont, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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