FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in North Carolina

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Jan 20 – Feb 3, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

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
CharlotteJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 6 – Apr 20
RaleighJan 17 – Jan 31Apr 4 – Apr 18
GreensboroJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
DurhamJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
Winston-SalemJan 15 – Jan 29Apr 2 – Apr 16
FayettevilleJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 6 – Apr 20
CaryJan 17 – Jan 31Apr 4 – Apr 18
WilmingtonJan 8 – Jan 22Mar 26 – Apr 9
High PointJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 6 – Apr 20
AshevilleJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 13 – Apr 27
GreenvilleJan 16 – Jan 30Apr 3 – Apr 17
ConcordJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
GastoniaJan 16 – Jan 30Apr 3 – Apr 17
JacksonvilleJan 20 – Feb 3Apr 7 – Apr 21
Chapel HillJan 20 – Feb 3Apr 7 – Apr 21
Rocky MountJan 20 – Feb 3Apr 7 – Apr 21
HuntersvilleJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 6 – Apr 20
BurlingtonJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 5 – Apr 19
WilsonJan 11 – Jan 25Mar 29 – Apr 12
KannapolisJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
ApexJan 16 – Jan 30Apr 3 – Apr 17
HickoryJan 20 – Feb 3Apr 7 – Apr 21
Wake ForestJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 11 – Apr 25
Indian TrailJan 20 – Feb 3Apr 7 – Apr 21
MooresvilleJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 16 – Apr 30
GoldsboroJan 17 – Jan 31Apr 4 – Apr 18
MonroeJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 10 – Apr 24
SalisburyJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 13 – Apr 27
Holly SpringsJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 13 – Apr 27
MatthewsJan 20 – Feb 3Apr 7 – Apr 21

Showing the 30 most populous of 95 North Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all North Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in North Carolina?

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Jan 20 – Feb 3, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

When is the last frost in North Carolina?

The average last spring frost in North Carolina ranges from March 18 in Morehead City to May 2 in Boone, 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 North Carolina

When to plant peppers in other states

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