When to plant peppers in Portland, Oregon

March 11 – March 25

Transplant outdoors · typical Portland year

Climate basis: NOAA station Portland Kgw-tv, OR (USC00356749), 1 mi (1 km) from downtown Portland (ZCTA 97204 centroid), elevation 159 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant peppers outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (February 25). One year in ten still freezes after March 21.

Last spring freezeFebruary 251-in-10 after Mar 21

First fall freezeDecember 11-in-10 before Nov 10

Frost-free season≈ 280 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Jan 31 – Dec 20kills even hardy greens

USDA zone9a20 to 25°F winter low — not frost timing

The Portland year

Start seeds indoorsDec 31 – Jan 14

Transplant outdoorsMar 11 – Mar 25

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Mar 21

Peppers in Portland · freeze context from Portland Kgw-tv, OR, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Dec 31 – Jan 14

Sow 8–10 weeks before the transplant window opens (UNH 8–10 weeks; Missouri G6570 8–10 weeks in pots). Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Feb 25). University of New Hampshire Extension · University of Missouri Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 11 – Mar 25

UNH: set out 2 weeks after last frost. Purdue: very tender — plant at least two weeks after the average last frost. Point rule given a 14-day span. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Feb 25). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension

Variety assumption: Assumes an average bell/chile variety (roughly 65–80 days from transplant).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (3)

University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
University of Missouri Extension: Starting Plants Indoors from Seeds (G6570) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Weeks needed to grow vegetable transplants indoors (Table 2).
Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.

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