FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Pennsylvania

In a typical Pennsylvania location, start seeds indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 6 in Philadelphia and as late as May 22 in Hermitage.

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
PhiladelphiaJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 6 – Apr 20
PittsburghFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
AllentownFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
ErieFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
ReadingFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 21 – May 5
ScrantonFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
BethlehemFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
BensalemFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 12
LancasterFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
AbingtonJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 18 – May 2
LevittownFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 12
HavertownJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 6 – Apr 20
HarrisburgFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 22 – May 6
AltoonaFeb 14 – Feb 28May 2 – May 16
YorkFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
State CollegeFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
Wilkes-BarreFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
NorristownJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 15 – Apr 29
ChesterJan 19 – Feb 2Apr 6 – Apr 20
Mount LebanonFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 25 – May 9
Bethel ParkFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 25 – May 9
WayneJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 15 – Apr 29
RadnorJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 15 – Apr 29
WilliamsportFeb 14 – Feb 28May 2 – May 16
MonroevilleFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
Cranberry TownshipJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 15 – Apr 29
Drexel HillJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
PlumFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 23 – May 7
Back MountainFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
EastonFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 25 – May 9

Showing the 30 most populous of 121 Pennsylvania cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Pennsylvania cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Pennsylvania?

In a typical Pennsylvania location, start seeds indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 6 in Philadelphia and as late as May 22 in Hermitage.

When is the last frost in Pennsylvania?

The average last spring frost in Pennsylvania ranges from March 30 in Philadelphia to May 15 in Hermitage, 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 Pennsylvania

When to plant peppers in other states

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