Rainline Garden

When to plant peppers in Olympia, WA

Start peppers from seed indoors Mar 1–15, then plant the young plants in the garden in Olympia May 10–31.

Tricky here Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Olympia's typical last spring frost is April 29. Frost kills peppers, and warm-season crops also need warm soil. Soil here stays cold for weeks after the last frost, so planting waits until about May 10. Keep row cover or a frost blanket handy for the first couple of weeks, since a late frost is still possible.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

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 1–15 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 10–31, 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 Olympia, WA?

Typically April 29. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 15. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Olympia Airport.

Is it too late to plant peppers in Olympia?

The spring planting window runs through May 31. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around October 14.

When should I start peppers from seed indoors in Olympia?

March 1 to March 15, which is 10 to 8 weeks before the May 10 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Olympia around the same time

Planting dates for peppers in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Olympia · Peppers in every city