When to plant pepper (sweet & chili) in Modesto
Pepper (sweet & chili) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Modesto's last spring frost of Jan 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Dec 30 – Jan 20
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 6 – May 27
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 10 – Aug 4
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
65 – 90 d
Modesto's 310-day season leaves this much room.
Pepper (sweet & chili) on Modesto's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN 27
DEC 3
Common questions
When will pepper (sweet & chili) be ready to harvest in Modesto?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 10–Aug 4) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When should I start pepper (sweet & chili) seeds indoors in Modesto?
Start seeds indoors around late December (Dec 30–Jan 20) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When can I transplant pepper (sweet & chili) outdoors in Modesto?
Transplant outdoors around early May (May 6–May 27) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Modesto?
Modesto has roughly 310 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow pepper (sweet & chili) to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow pepper (sweet & chili) 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Modesto's frost dates.
Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.