Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Peppers in New Hampshire

From sweet bells to fiery habaneros, peppers love heat and reward patience with prolific harvests.

The Short Answer

In New Hampshire, peppers planting dates vary by region. In Northern New Hampshire, your average last frost is around May 20 - Jun 5, while Southern New Hampshire sees its last frost around May 1 - May 20. Since peppers are frost-sensitive, start seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost, then transplant outside 2 weeks after frost danger has passed. Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Granite bedrock. Raised beds essential in many areas.

New Hampshire Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of New Hampshire you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern New Hampshire	3b, 4a, 4b	May 20 - Jun 5	Sep 10 - Sep 25
Southern New Hampshire	5a, 5b, 6a	May 1 - May 20	Sep 25 - Oct 10

Peppers Planting Schedule for New Hampshire

Northern New Hampshire (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 20 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Sep 25

Start Seeds Indoors

8 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks after frost

Southern New Hampshire (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Start Seeds Indoors

8 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks after frost

Growing Peppers in New Hampshire

Peppers in New Hampshire's Climate

Peppers need even more heat than tomatoes, making them one of the most challenging warm-season crops in cold climates. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost and don't transplant until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 60°F. Choose fast-maturing varieties like Early Jalapeño (60 days) and King of the North (68 days). Wall-o-Water season extenders and black plastic mulch are game-changers for cold-climate pepper growers.

Soil Considerations for New Hampshire

Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Granite bedrock. Raised beds essential in many areas. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 65°F before planting peppers outside.

New Hampshire Climate & Growing Season

Short growing season especially in north. Cold winters. Cool summers. Hardy varieties important. Peppers cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across New Hampshire: Northern New Hampshire (3b, 4a, 4b) has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Southern New Hampshire (5a, 5b, 6a) sees frost end around May 1 - May 20. This difference matters for peppers — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Start seeds early — peppers are slow to germinate. Wait until nights are consistently above 55°F before transplanting.

Companion Planting

Plant peppers alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Basil Carrots Onions

Keep peppers away from:

Fennel Kohlrabi

The Bottom Line

Peppers can be grown successfully across New Hampshire, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern New Hampshire gardeners should plan around a May 20 - Jun 5 last frost, while those in Southern New Hampshire can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026