Rainline Garden

When to plant peppers in Bend and Redmond, OR

Start peppers from seed indoors Mar 31 – Apr 14, then plant the young plants in the garden in Bend and Redmond Jun 9–30.

Tricky here Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Bend and Redmond's typical last spring frost is June 9. Frost kills peppers, so planting starts once frost risk drops, around June 9. Keep row cover or a frost blanket handy for the first couple of weeks, since a late frost is still possible.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty
Tricky here
Sun
Full sun; against a warm wall if possible
Spacing
18 inches apart
Planting depth
Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot
Frost
Killed by frost
First harvest
About 75 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Start seeds indoors Mar 31 – Apr 14 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
  2. Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
  3. Plant them in the garden Jun 9–30, 18 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
  4. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
  5. Harvest: Pick green any time once full size, or leave them to ripen red, which can take three more weeks.

Varieties that do well here

  • Gypsy
  • Ace
  • Early Jalapeño
  • Lunchbox snacking peppers

Watch out for

Cool nights stall growth. Black plastic mulch and row cover early in the season make a big difference here.

Even more heat-hungry than tomatoes. A warm wall or black plastic mulch helps.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Bend and Redmond, OR?

Typically June 9. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 26. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Redmond Roberts Field.

Is it too late to plant peppers in Bend and Redmond?

The spring planting window runs through June 30. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around September 14.

When should I start peppers from seed indoors in Bend and Redmond?

March 31 to April 14, which is 10 to 8 weeks before the June 9 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Bend and Redmond around the same time

Planting dates for peppers in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Bend and Redmond · Peppers in every city