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Bell peppers ripening on the plant in a greenhouse
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When to plant peppers in John Day, OR

Start peppers from seed indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2, then plant the young plants in the garden in John Day May 28 – Jun 18.

Tricky here Plant young plants (starts)

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

Why these dates

John Day's typical last spring frost is May 28. Frost kills peppers, so planting starts once frost risk drops, around May 28. 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.

How to grow peppers in John Day

  1. Start seeds indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2 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 May 28 – Jun 18, 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.

Key numbers

Growing notes

What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.

Soil and feeding

Peppers like warm, well-drained soil with compost worked in and a pH of about 6.0 to 6.8. Use a balanced fertilizer and go light on nitrogen, which grows leafy plants with few peppers. A modest feeding when the first fruit sets keeps them going. Water deeply and evenly, about an inch a week, since dry spells can cause blossom-end rot on peppers just as on tomatoes. Wait to add straw mulch until summer, because it keeps cool soil cool.

Why warmth decides everything

Peppers barely grow when nights drop below about 55°F, and transplants set out into cold May soil can sit still for weeks. Flowers also tend to drop off when nights are cool or days are very hot. West of the Cascades, black plastic mulch to warm the soil, row cover for the first weeks, and a spot against a south-facing wall make a big difference. Early, smaller-fruited varieties like Gypsy, Ace, Early Jalapeño and Lunchbox snacking peppers ripen in a short, mild summer. East of the Cascades, heat is plentiful, but midsummer sun can scald exposed fruit, so leafy plants help.

Harvest and color

Every pepper starts green and changes color as it ripens. Green peppers are simply unripe, which is why red, yellow and orange ones are sweeter. In the Northwest, full color can take weeks, so pick some green to keep plants producing and leave others to ripen. When fall rain or frost threatens, pick everything full size. Peppers keep about a week or two in the fridge, and extras freeze well chopped with no blanching needed.

Common questions

When is the last frost in John Day, OR?

Typically May 28. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 15. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for John Day.

Is it too late to plant peppers in John Day?

The spring planting window runs through June 18. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around September 18.

When should I start peppers from seed indoors in John Day?

March 19 to April 2, which is 10 to 8 weeks before the May 28 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Why are my pepper plants not growing?

Cold soil and cool nights are the most common reason in the Northwest. Peppers stall until nights stay above about 55°F. Black plastic mulch and row cover help, and plants usually take off once summer warmth arrives.

Why are my pepper flowers falling off?

Flowers drop when nights are too cool or days are very hot, and also when plants are dry. It usually stops on its own when the weather evens out. Keep watering steady and avoid heavy nitrogen.

How long does it take for green peppers to turn red?

Often about three more weeks after they reach full size, and longer in cool weather. Warmth speeds it up. Near the end of the season, pick peppers with some color and they'll often finish ripening on the counter.

Also plant in John Day around the same time

Planting dates for peppers in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for John Day · Peppers in every city