When to plant peppers in Seattle and Tacoma, WA

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

Tricky here Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Seattle and Tacoma's typical last spring frost is March 2. 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.

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

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.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden May 10–31, 18 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
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 Seattle and Tacoma, WA?

Typically March 2. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by March 23. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Is it too late to plant peppers in Seattle and Tacoma?

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 November 23.

When should I start peppers from seed indoors in Seattle and Tacoma?

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.

What Your Last Frost Date Really MeansA last frost date isn't a promise. Here's what the number on a planting chart actually measures, and how to use it without losing your tomatoes.
How to Harden Off Seedlings Before Planting OutSeedlings raised indoors need a week or two to adjust to sun, wind and cool nights. Here's a simple day-by-day schedule that works in a Northwest spring.
Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors: A Northwest TimelineWhen to start tomatoes, peppers and other seeds indoors in Oregon and Washington, plus the simple setup that grows strong seedlings.
Growing Vegetables in Containers on a Northwest Balcony or PatioNo yard? Herbs, greens, tomatoes and more grow well in pots. Container sizes, soil, watering and the best crops for small Northwest spaces.
Why Northwest Gardeners Should Plant by Soil TemperatureThe air warms up long before the soil does here. A $10 soil thermometer tells you when it's really time to plant beans, squash and tomatoes.

Also plant in Seattle and Tacoma around the same time

Planting dates for peppers in nearby areas

Portland, OR May 10–31
Gresham, OR May 10–31
Wilsonville and Canby, OR May 10–31
Salem, OR May 10–31
Eugene, OR May 10–31
Roseburg, OR May 10–31

Full planting calendar for Seattle and Tacoma · Peppers in every city