Planting calendar
When to plant peppers in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA hardiness zones 4b-5b. Average last spring frost: 05-05. This calendar gives you the indoor start, transplant, and direct-sow dates for Capsicum annuum.
Iowa planting dates for peppers
| Phase | Date in Iowa | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Start seeds indoors | February 24 | 10 weeks before last frost |
| Transplant outdoors | May 19 | 2 weeks after last frost |
Why these dates
Peppers are slower than tomatoes and even more heat-loving. Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only after nights stay above 55F.
The dates above are anchored to Iowa's average last spring frost date of 05-05, with offsets standard across university Extension publications. For zone-specific local timing, use the frost date lookup tool with your ZIP code.
More on growing peppers
The full growing guide for peppers - varieties, soil, fertilization, pests, harvest, storage - is here: Peppers growing guide.
More Iowa planting information
- Full Iowa planting calendar (all crops + ornamentals)
- Find your exact USDA zone by ZIP
- Look up your average frost dates
- Seed starting timeline calculator