Arizona · zones 5b10a

When to plant bell peppers in Arizona.

Sow or transplant between Feb 21 to Apr 14 in a typical year, keyed to Arizona's median last frost around Feb 5. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.

The 2026 windows

Bell Peppers dates for a typical Arizona season.

1 · Start indoors

Jan 10 to Mar 3

About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.

2 · Set out

Feb 21 to Apr 14

Keyed to the ~Feb 5 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 18" apart.

Harvest

~70 days later

~4 lb per plant over ~8 weeks.

Arizona spans more than one climate: Zone 9 is the most common zone, but the state runs 5b to 10a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.