FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Vermont

In a typical Vermont location, start seeds indoors Feb 28 – Mar 14, then transplant outdoors May 16 – May 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 6 in Burlington and as late as May 27 in Morristown.

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
BurlingtonFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
South BurlingtonFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
ColchesterFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
RutlandMar 6 – Mar 20May 22 – Jun 5
Essex JunctionFeb 21 – Mar 7May 9 – May 23
HartfordFeb 28 – Mar 14May 16 – May 30
BenningtonMar 2 – Mar 16May 18 – Jun 1
BarreMar 7 – Mar 21May 23 – Jun 6
WillistonFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
MontpelierFeb 24 – Mar 10May 12 – May 26
St JohnsburyMar 4 – Mar 18May 20 – Jun 3
BrattleboroMar 5 – Mar 19May 21 – Jun 4
WinooskiFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
Saint AlbansFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
Middlebury (village)Feb 24 – Mar 10May 12 – May 26
Saint JohnsburyMar 4 – Mar 18May 20 – Jun 3
MorristownMar 11 – Mar 25May 27 – Jun 10
LyndonMar 4 – Mar 18May 20 – Jun 3
RockinghamFeb 28 – Mar 14May 16 – May 30
NewportMar 5 – Mar 19May 21 – Jun 4

Showing the 20 most populous of 20 Vermont cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Vermont cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Vermont?

In a typical Vermont location, start seeds indoors Feb 28 – Mar 14, then transplant outdoors May 16 – May 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 6 in Burlington and as late as May 27 in Morristown.

When is the last frost in Vermont?

The average last spring frost in Vermont ranges from April 29 in Burlington to May 20 in Morristown, 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 Vermont

When to plant peppers in other states

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