FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Virginia

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Jan 31 – Feb 14, then transplant outdoors Apr 18 – May 2. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in Newport News and as late as May 3 in Radford.

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
Virginia BeachJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 5 – Apr 19
NorfolkJan 12 – Jan 26Mar 30 – Apr 13
ChesapeakeJan 12 – Jan 26Mar 30 – Apr 13
RichmondJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 10 – Apr 24
ArlingtonJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 16 – Apr 30
Newport NewsJan 5 – Jan 19Mar 23 – Apr 6
AlexandriaJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 10 – Apr 24
East HamptonJan 13 – Jan 27Mar 31 – Apr 14
HamptonJan 13 – Jan 27Mar 31 – Apr 14
RoanokeJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 10 – Apr 24
Portsmouth HeightsJan 12 – Jan 26Mar 30 – Apr 13
PortsmouthJan 12 – Jan 26Mar 30 – Apr 13
SuffolkJan 16 – Jan 30Apr 3 – Apr 17
South SuffolkJan 16 – Jan 30Apr 3 – Apr 17
LynchburgFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 24 – May 8
CentrevilleFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 22 – May 6
Dale CityJan 17 – Jan 31Apr 4 – Apr 18
West LynchburgFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 24 – May 8
RestonFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 21 – May 5
HarrisonburgFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 12
LeesburgFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 23 – May 7
McLeanJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 16 – Apr 30
CharlottesvilleJan 25 – Feb 8Apr 12 – Apr 26
TuckahoeJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
BlacksburgFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
AshburnFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 20 – May 4
DanvilleJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 15 – Apr 29
ManassasFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 19 – May 3
Lake RidgeFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 19 – May 3
BurkeFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 21 – May 5

Showing the 30 most populous of 118 Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Virginia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Virginia?

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Jan 31 – Feb 14, then transplant outdoors Apr 18 – May 2. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in Newport News and as late as May 3 in Radford.

When is the last frost in Virginia?

The average last spring frost in Virginia ranges from March 16 in Newport News to April 26 in Radford, 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 Virginia

When to plant peppers in other states

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