FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Massachusetts

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Feb 14 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors May 2 – May 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 11 in Boston and as late as May 17 in North Adams.

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
BostonJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
WorcesterFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
SpringfieldFeb 22 – Mar 8May 10 – May 24
LowellFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
CambridgeJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
New BedfordJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 18 – May 2
DorchesterFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
BrocktonFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
Fall RiverJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 18 – May 2
QuincyFeb 14 – Feb 28May 2 – May 16
LynnFeb 14 – Feb 28May 2 – May 16
NewtonFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
SomervilleJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
LawrenceFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 20 – May 4
FraminghamFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
Framingham CenterFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
WalthamFeb 17 – Mar 3May 5 – May 19
HaverhillFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
MaldenJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
BrooklineFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
MedfordJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
TauntonFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
ChicopeeFeb 22 – Mar 8May 10 – May 24
North ChicopeeFeb 22 – Mar 8May 10 – May 24
WeymouthFeb 14 – Feb 28May 2 – May 16
RevereJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
PeabodyFeb 14 – Feb 28May 2 – May 16
MethuenFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 20 – May 4
South PeabodyFeb 14 – Feb 28May 2 – May 16
BarnstableFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13

Showing the 30 most populous of 183 Massachusetts cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Massachusetts cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Massachusetts?

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Feb 14 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors May 2 – May 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 11 in Boston and as late as May 17 in North Adams.

When is the last frost in Massachusetts?

The average last spring frost in Massachusetts ranges from April 4 in Boston to May 10 in North Adams, 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 Massachusetts

When to plant peppers in other states

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