When do you plant pepper (hot) in zone 10a?

In USDA hardiness zone 10a (last frost ~Jan 17, 2026, first frost ~Jan 14, 2026): Start seeds indoors Dec 9, 2025–Dec 23, 2025; Start hardening off Feb 3, 2026–Feb 10, 2026; Transplant outdoors Feb 17, 2026–Feb 17, 2026. Exact dates vary by location within the zone.

When to plant pepper (hot) in zone 10a

A planting schedule for pepper (hot) in USDA hardiness zone 10a, where the typical last spring frost is around Jan 17, 2026 and the first fall frost around Jan 14, 2026. Dates are computed from NOAA frost normals for a representative location (Clearwater, FL) — your exact dates depend on your address.

Pepper (Hot) planting schedule for zone 10a

Start seeds indoorsDec 9, 2025 – Dec 23, 2025
Start hardening offFeb 3, 2026 – Feb 10, 2026
Transplant outdoorsFeb 17, 2026 – Feb 17, 2026

Playing it safe with tender crops? Spring frost holds off until about Feb 3, 2026 in roughly 9 years out of 10.

Want exact pepper (hot)dates for your address, a drag-and-drop bed layout, and reminders when it’s time to sow? Enter your ZIP:

Free on one garden — no credit card. See the full pepper (hot) growing guide or the whole zone 10a calendar.

Pepper (Hot) in other zones

More crops for zone 10a

Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for a representative location (Clearwater, FL) in zone 10a; your exact dates depend on your address. Schedules are guidance, not guarantees.