When to plant peppers in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA

Start peppers from seed indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6, then plant the young plants in the garden in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) May 1–22.

Tricky here Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland)'s typical last spring frost is April 27. Frost kills peppers, so planting starts once frost risk drops, around May 1. Keep row cover or a frost blanket handy for the first couple of weeks, since a late frost is still possible.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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 Feb 20 – Mar 6 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 1–22, 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 Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA?

Typically April 27. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Pasco Tri-Cities Airport.

Is it too late to plant peppers in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland)?

The spring planting window runs through May 22. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around October 11.

When should I start peppers from seed indoors in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland)?

February 20 to March 6, which is 10 to 8 weeks before the May 1 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 Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) around the same time

Planting dates for peppers in nearby areas

Pendleton, OR May 1–22
The Dalles, OR May 1–22
Yakima, WA May 8–29
Wenatchee, WA May 1–22
Walla Walla, WA May 1–22
Moses Lake, WA May 1–22

Full planting calendar for Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) · Peppers in every city