FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Missouri

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Jan 28 – Feb 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 15 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Sikeston and as late as Apr 28 in Kirksville.

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
Kansas CityJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
St. LouisJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
SpringfieldJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
ColumbiaJan 25 – Feb 8Apr 12 – Apr 26
IndependenceJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
Lee's SummitFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 20 – May 4
O'FallonJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 16 – Apr 30
Saint JosephFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
Saint CharlesJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 15 – Apr 29
Blue SpringsJan 27 – Feb 10Apr 14 – Apr 28
Saint PetersJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 16 – Apr 30
FlorissantJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
JoplinJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 16 – Apr 30
ChesterfieldJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
Jefferson CityJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 15 – Apr 29
Cape GirardeauJan 25 – Feb 8Apr 12 – Apr 26
OakvilleJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 13 – Apr 27
WildwoodFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 19 – May 3
WentzvilleJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
University CityJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
BallwinJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
LibertyFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
RaytownJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
MehlvilleJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 13 – Apr 27
KirkwoodJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
Maryland HeightsJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
GladstoneJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
HazelwoodJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
GrandviewJan 27 – Feb 10Apr 14 – Apr 28
Webster GrovesJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22

Showing the 30 most populous of 90 Missouri cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Missouri cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Missouri?

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Jan 28 – Feb 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 15 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Sikeston and as late as Apr 28 in Kirksville.

When is the last frost in Missouri?

The average last spring frost in Missouri ranges from March 26 in Sikeston to April 21 in Kirksville, 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 Missouri

When to plant peppers in other states

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