Rainline Garden

When to plant peppers in Yakima, WA

Start peppers from seed indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13, then plant the young plants in the garden in Yakima May 8–29.

Tricky here Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Yakima's typical last spring frost is May 8. Frost kills peppers, so planting starts once frost risk drops, around May 8. 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

  1. Start seeds indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13 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 8–29, 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 Yakima, WA?

Typically May 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Yakima Air Terminal.

Is it too late to plant peppers in Yakima?

The spring planting window runs through May 29. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around October 4.

When should I start peppers from seed indoors in Yakima?

February 27 to March 13, which is 10 to 8 weeks before the May 8 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Yakima around the same time

Planting dates for peppers in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Yakima · Peppers in every city