Pepper (Bell) Planting Guide — All Zones
Capsicum annuum
Last updated: May 15, 2026Quick Facts
Sunlight
☀️ Full Sun
Water Needs
💧💧 Moderate
Spacing
18 inches apart
Planting Depth
0.25 inch
Min Soil Temp
65°F
Germination
7–14 days
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Frost Tolerance
No frost tolerance
Soil pH
6.0–6.8
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Schedule by Zone
Select your USDA zone below for a detailed guide with tips specific to your region.
Zone 3Zone 3aZone 3bZone 4Zone 4aZone 4bZone 5Zone 5aZone 5bZone 6Zone 6aZone 6bZone 7Zone 7aZone 7bZone 8Zone 8aZone 8bZone 9Zone 9aZone 9bZone 10Zone 10aZone 10bZone 11Zone 11aZone 11bZone 12Zone 12aZone 12bZone 13Zone 13aZone 13b
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest Start | Harvest End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Mar 10 | Jun 1 | — | Aug 1 | Sep 10 |
| Zone 4 | Mar 5 | May 25 | — | Jul 25 | Sep 20 |
| Zone 5 | Feb 25 | May 15 | — | Jul 15 | Oct 1 |
| Zone 6 | Feb 10 | May 1 | — | Jul 1 | Oct 10 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 1 | Apr 20 | — | Jun 20 | Oct 20 |
| Zone 8 | Jan 15 | Apr 1 | — | Jun 5 | Nov 1 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 1 | Mar 15 | — | May 20 | Nov 15 |
| Zone 10 | Dec 10 | Feb 25 | — | May 1 | Dec 1 |
| Zone 11 | — | Jan 20 | Feb 1 | Apr 15 | Dec 15 |
| Zone 12 | — | any | any | year_round | year_round |
| Zone 13 | — | any | any | year_round | year_round |
What you'll need — Your Zone
🛒 Pepper (Bell) — Seeds & Supplies
- 🌱 Pepper (Bell) Seeds
Search for these at your local garden center or nursery.
Companion Planting
Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.
✓ Good Companions
✗ Avoid Nearby
Fennel Kohlrabi
📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.