When to plant pepper (sweet & chili) in Richmond
Pepper (sweet & chili) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Richmond's last spring frost of Apr 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 15 – Mar 8
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 12 – Jun 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 16 – Aug 10
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
65 – 90 d
Richmond's 217-day season leaves this much room.
Pepper (sweet & chili) on Richmond'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
FROST
FROST
APR 1
NOV 4
Common questions
When will pepper (sweet & chili) be ready to harvest in Richmond?
Expect to harvest from around mid July (Jul 16–Aug 10) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start pepper (sweet & chili) seeds indoors in Richmond?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 15–Mar 8) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant pepper (sweet & chili) outdoors in Richmond?
Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 12–Jun 2) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
How long is the growing season in Richmond?
Richmond has roughly 217 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 Richmond's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.