Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Peppers in Oregon

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

The Short Answer

In Oregon, peppers planting dates vary by region. In Willamette Valley, your average last frost is around Mar 25 - Apr 15, while Southern Oregon Coast sees its last frost around Mar 5 - Mar 25. Since peppers are frost-sensitive, start seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost, then transplant outside 2 weeks after frost danger has passed. Rich volcanic soils in Willamette Valley. Dry, alkaline soils east of Cascades. Acidic forest soils on coast. Generally...

Oregon Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Willamette Valley 8a, 8b Mar 25 - Apr 15 Oct 15 - Nov 10
Portland Metro 8b, 9a Mar 15 - Apr 5 Oct 25 - Nov 15
Central/Eastern Oregon 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b May 10 - Jun 1 Sep 10 - Oct 1
Southern Oregon Coast 8b, 9a, 9b Mar 5 - Mar 25 Nov 5 - Nov 25

Peppers Planting Schedule for Oregon

Willamette Valley (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 15 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 10

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost

Portland Metro (Zones 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 5 · Average first frost: Oct 25 - Nov 15

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost

Central/Eastern Oregon (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b)

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

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost

Southern Oregon Coast (Zones 8b, 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Mar 5 - Mar 25 · Average first frost: Nov 5 - Nov 25

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost

Growing Peppers in Oregon

Peppers in Oregon's Climate

Peppers are stars in warm climates — they thrive in the same heat that stresses other crops. Your long season supports even the longest-maturing hot varieties including habaneros, ghost peppers, and superhots. Peppers produce more prolifically with warm nights, giving southern growers a natural advantage. In the hottest zones, afternoon shade helps during peak summer but isn't strictly necessary — peppers handle heat better than tomatoes.

Soil Considerations for Oregon

Rich volcanic soils in Willamette Valley. Dry, alkaline soils east of Cascades. Acidic forest soils on coast. Generally excellent for gardening in valleys. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 65°F before planting peppers outside.

Oregon Climate & Growing Season

Dramatic east-west climate divide. Wet, mild winters west of Cascades. Dry, cold winters east. Year-round gardening possible in mild western valleys. 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 Oregon: Willamette Valley (8a, 8b) has a last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 15, while Southern Oregon Coast (8b, 9a, 9b) sees frost end around Mar 5 - Mar 25. 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 Oregon, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Willamette Valley gardeners should plan around a Mar 25 - Apr 15 last frost, while those in Southern Oregon Coast can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Peppers Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Oregon Planting Calendar All plants for Oregon Peppers in Alabama Alabama planting dates Peppers in Alaska Alaska planting dates Peppers in Arizona Arizona planting dates Peppers in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
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

Ready to Start Planting?

Enter your zip code and pick your plant. We'll tell you exactly when to plant, start seeds, and harvest — based on where you live.

Find Your Planting Dates