FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Maryland

In a typical Maryland location, start seeds indoors Jan 23 – Feb 6, then transplant outdoors Apr 10 – Apr 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in California and as late as May 1 in Westminster.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–90 days

Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.

Peppers Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
BaltimoreJan 13 – Jan 27Mar 31 – Apr 14
ColumbiaJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
GermantownFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 21 – May 5
Silver SpringJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
FrederickJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
WaldorfJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 10 – Apr 24
Glen BurnieJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
GaithersburgJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
RockvilleJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
Ellicott CityJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
DundalkJan 13 – Jan 27Mar 31 – Apr 14
BethesdaJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 16 – Apr 30
BowieFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
TowsonJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
Aspen HillJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
WheatonJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
Bel Air SouthJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
Gwynn OakJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
PotomacJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
SevernJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
North BethesdaJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
CatonsvilleJan 13 – Jan 27Mar 31 – Apr 14
AnnapolisJan 16 – Jan 30Apr 3 – Apr 17
HagerstownJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 18 – May 2
EssexJan 13 – Jan 27Mar 31 – Apr 14
HanoverJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
WoodlawnJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
Severna ParkJan 16 – Jan 30Apr 3 – Apr 17
OdentonJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
Saint CharlesJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 10 – Apr 24

Showing the 30 most populous of 151 Maryland cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Maryland cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Maryland?

In a typical Maryland location, start seeds indoors Jan 23 – Feb 6, then transplant outdoors Apr 10 – Apr 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in California and as late as May 1 in Westminster.

When is the last frost in Maryland?

The average last spring frost in Maryland ranges from March 22 in California to April 24 in Westminster, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do peppers take to grow?

Peppers typically take 60–90 days from planting to harvest. Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.

Other Crops in Maryland

When to plant peppers in other states

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