When do you plant pepper (sweet & hot) in zone 9a?

In USDA hardiness zone 9a (last frost ~Mar 2, 2026, first frost ~Nov 27, 2026): Start seeds indoors Jan 16, 2026–Jul 25, 2026; Start hardening off Mar 27, 2026–Sep 12, 2026; Transplant outdoors Apr 10, 2026–Sep 19, 2026. Exact dates vary by location within the zone.

When to plant pepper (sweet & hot) in zone 9a

A planting schedule for pepper (sweet & hot) in USDA hardiness zone 9a, where the typical last spring frost is around Mar 2, 2026 and the first fall frost around Nov 27, 2026. Dates are computed from NOAA frost normals for a representative location (Cuero, TX) — your exact dates depend on your address.

Pepper (Sweet & Hot) planting schedule for zone 9a

Start seeds indoorsJan 16, 2026 – Jul 25, 2026
Start hardening offMar 27, 2026 – Sep 12, 2026
Transplant outdoorsApr 10, 2026 – Sep 19, 2026

Playing it safe with tender crops? Spring frost holds off until about Mar 27, 2026 in roughly 9 years out of 10.

Want exact pepper (sweet & 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 (sweet & hot) growing guide or the whole zone 9a calendar.

Pepper (Sweet & Hot) in other zones

More crops for zone 9a

Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for a representative location (Cuero, TX) in zone 9a; your exact dates depend on your address. Schedules are guidance, not guarantees.