When to Plant Peppers in Washington
In Washington, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Mar 16 – Mar 30 in Burien to May 20 – Jun 3 in Pullman. In Seattle, it's Mar 22 – Apr 5. The average last spring frost differs by about 9 weeks across the state (Mar 2 in Burien, May 6 in Pullman), 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 Washington by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 8b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Bellevue | 9a | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Bellingham | 8b | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Bothell | 8b | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Bremerton | 8b | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Burien | 9a | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Des Moines | 9a | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Edmonds | 9a | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Everett | 8b | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Federal Way | 8b | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Issaquah | 8b | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Kennewick | 7b | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Kent | 8b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Kirkland | 9a | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Lacey | 8b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Lake Stevens | 8b | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Lakewood | 8b | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Longview | 8b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Lynnwood | 9a | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Marysville | 8b | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Mount Vernon | 8b | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Olympia | 8b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Pasco | 7b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Pullman | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Puyallup | 8b | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Redmond | 8b | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Renton | 9a | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Richland | 7b | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Sammamish | 8b | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| SeaTac | 9a | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Seattle | 9a | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Shoreline | 9a | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Spokane | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Spokane Valley | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Tacoma | 8b | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| University Place | 8b | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Vancouver | 8b | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Walla Walla | 7a | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Wenatchee | 7a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Yakima | 7a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
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 Washington, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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