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When to plant peppers in zone 9b

In zone 9b, where the last spring frost typically comes around January 31, start peppers indoors December 21 to January 18 and plant out March 8 to 22. For a fall crop, plant August 19 to September 16.

The zone 9b schedule for peppers

Start seeds indoors
December 21 to January 18
Plant out
March 8 to 22
Sow outdoors
March 8 to 15
Soil warm enough (60°F), about
March 8
First harvest, roughly
May 12 to June 15
Plant for a fall crop
August 19 to September 16

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 1,459 ZIP codes in zone 9b, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for peppers.

Frost risk in zone 9b

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 9b, the typical last frost ranges from about January 12 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to March 1 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from January 8 to December 28. For a typical place in the zone:

  • December 18Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • January 31Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • March 1Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10

Peppers are killed by frost, so if you want to be safe, plant out after the safe date rather than the typical one, or be ready to cover plants on a cold night.

Your dates for peppers

Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant peppers where you live, from the frost records of the nearest NOAA weather station. Your ZIP code is remembered on this device only.

Enter your ZIP code

Peppers in zone 9b cities

CityTypical last frostStart indoorsPlant out
Houston, TXJan 30Dec 6 to Jan 3Feb 21 to Mar 7
Jacksonville, FLFeb 1Dec 3 to 31Feb 18 to Mar 4
San Jose, CAJan 12Feb 8 to Mar 8Apr 26 to May 10
Fresno, CAJan 14Jan 18 to Feb 15Apr 5 to 19
Sacramento, CAJan 12Jan 22 to Feb 19Apr 9 to 23
Bakersfield, CAJan 17Jan 11 to Feb 8Mar 29 to Apr 12
New Orleans, LAJan 24Dec 3 to 31Feb 18 to Mar 4
Henderson, NVJan 20Dec 26 to Jan 23Mar 13 to 27

How to grow peppersAll zonesPeppers in zone 9aAbout zone 9b

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