In zone 6, plant pepper transplants outside from May 15 to May 22, two to three weeks after your last spring frost, once nights stay above 50 °F. Start seeds indoors from March 6 to March 20, and expect your first peppers from about July 19.
Pepper dates for your ZIP code
Planting times based on university extension guidance (UNH, Cornell, Purdue, Minnesota, Nebraska and UMass Extension). Frost dates from NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest weather station. Zones derived from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map data (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). This is not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Pepper timing in zone 6
| Task | When |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | March 6 – March 20 |
| Transplant outside | May 15 – May 22 |
| First harvest | July 19 – August 10 |
| Harden off seedlings | Over one to two weeks before transplanting |
| Mulch | After planting, 3–4 inches of straw or grass clippings |
| Water | About 1 inch a week, more in sandy soil |
Most of zone 6 sees its last spring frost between April 25 and May 8, with a typical date of May 1. Peppers need warmer weather than tomatoes, so wait until nights stay above 50 °F even if that is later than the window. The tool above uses the weather station closest to your ZIP code.
Why peppers go out later than tomatoes
Peppers are even more sensitive to cold than tomatoes. Frost kills them, and cool soil and cool nights stop their growth. Seeds germinate best at 80–90 °F, and transplants do best once nighttime lows stay above 50 °F. That is why peppers are set out two to three weeks after the last spring frost.
Best pepper varieties for zone 6
Zone 6 has a long enough season for every kind of pepper:
- Bell peppers: Big Bertha, Camelot, Colossal and Karma.
- Hot peppers: jalapeño, habanero and Tula.
- Sweet banana and hot-sweet types: Sweet Banana, Banana Supreme and Kuberille.
If diseases have been a problem in your garden, look for disease-resistant varieties.
How to plant peppers
- Start seeds indoors about eight to ten weeks before your transplant date. A heat mat helps them germinate; once up, grow them at about 70 °F.
- Harden off the seedlings over one to two weeks, starting with a couple of hours of sun in a sheltered spot.
- Transplant on a cloudy day or in the late afternoon to reduce stress.
- Space plants 18 inches apart in rows 30–36 inches apart.
- Mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down.
Zone 6 pepper tips
- Don’t rush planting. Peppers set out in cold soil sit and stall. Waiting until nights stay above 50 °F gives you faster growth and earlier fruit.
- Water deeply and evenly. If you get less than an inch of rain a week, soak the soil at least once a week. Steady water is key to fruit set and prevents blossom end rot.
- Water the soil, not the leaves. Wet leaves encourage bacterial spot and other diseases.
- Rotate. Don’t plant peppers where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplant grew in the last three or four years.
Harvesting peppers
Pick peppers as soon as they reach full size and their walls feel firm. Green bells left on the plant turn red, yellow or orange and get sweeter, but that takes extra weeks. Cut the stems with shears instead of pulling, so you don’t break branches, and wear gloves when handling hot peppers. Peppers keep a week or more in the refrigerator.
Pepper planting dates in nearby zones
See dates for every zone on the peppers planting guide, or build a full schedule with the planting calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Is it too late to plant peppers in zone 6 in June?
No. Transplants set out in June still have time to produce before your first fall frost around October 13, especially if you pick them green.
Why are my pepper flowers falling off?
Peppers drop flowers during very hot days and nights, and when watering is uneven. Fruit set usually resumes when temperatures ease.
When should I start pepper seeds indoors?
About eight to ten weeks before you plan to transplant. Peppers grow slowly at first, so they need more time indoors than tomatoes.
Can I plant peppers before the last frost?
No. Peppers are killed by frost and stall in cold soil. Wait until two to three weeks after your last frost, when nights stay above 50 °F.
Do I have to wait for peppers to turn red?
No. Most peppers can be picked green once they reach full size. Leaving them on the plant makes them sweeter and more colorful.
Sources. Planting dates use the median frost dates of each USDA zone, calculated from NOAA climate data for every ZIP code in the zone.