FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in New York

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13, then transplant outdoors Apr 17 – May 1. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Elmhurst and as late as May 24 in Corning.

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
New York CityJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 6 – Apr 20
BrooklynJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
QueensJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
ManhattanJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 6 – Apr 20
The BronxJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
Staten IslandJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
BuffaloFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
JamaicaJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
RochesterFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
YonkersFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
AstoriaJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 6 – Apr 20
SyracuseFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
AmherstFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
ElmhurstJan 15 – Jan 29Apr 2 – Apr 16
CoronaJan 15 – Jan 29Apr 2 – Apr 16
AlbanyFeb 16 – Mar 2May 4 – May 18
Richmond HillJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
West AlbanyFeb 16 – Mar 2May 4 – May 18
GreenburghFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
New RochelleJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
South Ozone ParkJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
CheektowagaFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
RidgewoodJan 15 – Jan 29Apr 2 – Apr 16
Mount VernonJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
Forest HillsJan 15 – Jan 29Apr 2 – Apr 16
Jackson HeightsJan 15 – Jan 29Apr 2 – Apr 16
BaysideJan 15 – Jan 29Apr 2 – Apr 16
SchenectadyFeb 16 – Mar 2May 4 – May 18
UticaFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
BrentwoodJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1

Showing the 30 most populous of 267 New York cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New York cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in New York?

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13, then transplant outdoors Apr 17 – May 1. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Elmhurst and as late as May 24 in Corning.

When is the last frost in New York?

The average last spring frost in New York ranges from March 26 in Elmhurst to May 17 in Corning, 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 New York

When to plant peppers in other states

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