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Vegetable Gardening

when to start pepper seeds?

13 years ago

I've seen some conflicting advice about this. Illinois Vegetable Gardener's Guide says to start seed 2 weeks before the last frost date (last frost for my area is about may 15th) and plant out on June 1st or thereabouts. That gives about 6 weeks from seeding to plant out. Other advice says peppers need a long time to get started and to allow for up to 12 weeks prior to planting out. Which is right? Does it depend on variety at all? This will be my first year trying peppers from seed...

Thanks,

Laura

Comments (10)

Ali Eggenburg Alldredge
13 years ago
Peppers take a long time to germinate and seem to be slow growers for me (I start them in my Iowa basement which is chilly, even with a heat mat.) I started my bell peppers on 2/21 and they germinated on 2/28. They are looking good with 2-3 sets of leaves, but are nowhere close growing out of their 4" container. I will plant them out mid May.

I have heard people say that the spicier peppers take even longer to germinate.

I would start them if you haven't already :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Zone 5 garden blog
wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
13 years ago
Start them indoors now. I started my sweet bells on March 29th for May 14th set out.
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Hi! This is what I do for zone 5. My last frost free date is Mother's day (do a google search for your area's last frost free date). While you can plant outside before your frost free date and cover the plants and protect them from frost, peppers and eggplants do not like cold soil so I wait until my frost free date for more than warmer air temp.....I am seeking warmer soil temps...... Okay.. back to your plants..... I would start sweet peppers 8 weeks before your frost free date and hot peppers and eggplants 10 weeks before your frost free date. There is harm in starting them too soon because they may get root bound and have a hard time recovering the transplant to their final places outside, as well as just running out of room and enough light to keep them happy inside. I would guess plus or minus two weeks on the dates above would still be okay. I hope that helps! Cheers Keriann~
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Jenfm, I've always thought about the dwindling daylight hours effects on our fall/winter vegetable gardens. Not just fewer hours, but less intensity as the plants grow. Then there's the seasonal lag through January before things really start the upturn toward spring. It's no wonder the largest pumpkins and squash grow in Alaska and Siberia. Unlimited sunlight on those large leaves! Along with the soil sterilizing deep freeze every winter. I've never had luck with summer squash here. They come up and flower fine, but immediately after flowering the small fruits rot or vine borers get into the stems. I'm going to order some of those Tromboncino squash seeds very soon. Ill, did you say you planted that in the fall? Cucumbers do only slightly better. I don't think they handle humidity well at all (mildew) and get the same bugs as the squash. I'm planning to start some cukes in late Dec to take advantage of the dry season and lengthening days. In a large pot with a trellis. I think you can sow amaranth anytime of year. Once it's established and you let one go to seed it pops up everywhere. I really see the best growth in the spring. It goes to seed more quickly later summer and fall. I've found the red one does better for me. The green one must be very tasty though. It's always eaten up in the garden, by little caterpillars. I love nasturtiums among the veggies too. They pop up every fall like magic.
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You didn't give your usual starting dates for tomatoes. Peppers are generally slower to germinate and reach transplant size than tomatoes. Give them a couple weeks longer. The mid March time Chris mentioned should be fine for SE PA. Harvesting sweet (and hot) peppers has the advantage that they will hold on the plant longer than the more perishable tomato.
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forpityssake
13 years ago
I started mine April 5th. Today, the last seed finally made it's sprouty appearance.

I plan to transplant them, mid-late May. All depends on how much rain we get 'tween now & then. We've had way too much as it is.
growinidaho
13 years ago
I started mine, 144 and several varieties, on March 5th. They are not on a heat mat. Some are just now ready to pot up. They are in a couple of 72 cell containers. There are 5 just now coming up and 48 that still haven't, so plant extra. I will plant them out on May 31st. They take a loooong time :]
Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
13 years ago
Mine start 10 weeks before last frost. I suspect most folks are 8-12.

Dan
digdirt2
13 years ago
For decades, mine always get started 10-12 weeks before plant out date.

Dave
lolear
Original Author
13 years ago
So if I start them now, will I be hopelessly behind?
calliope
13 years ago
No...........probably not. It seems when the heat of summer hits, a lot of the latecomers do a catch-up. I pulled up the Illinois Vegetable Gardening guide to see what it said and the only reference I could find on the timing of peppers was that it would take eight to ten weeks from seed to the time it should be set out in the field. Two weeks is waaaaaaaaaay off.
taz6122
13 years ago
Yes you will be behind but maybe not hopelessly. I got a late start on mine (about 4 weeks old now) and will probably end up buying transplants myself. IMO plant out date for peppers is at least 2 weeks after tomatoes and they (toms) will be going in the ground in 2 weeks, maybe less.
2 years ago my peppers were about 16 weeks old when they went in the ground and they did great. Hopefully I wont slip up next year as I have the last 2 seasons. I bit off entirely more than I can chew this year.
RavenGarden
13 years ago
My guess is it can't hurt to try, especially if you have the room and can maybe buy starts to go with them!

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