Louisiana · zones 8b–9b
When to plant bell peppers in Louisiana.
Sow or transplant between Mar 16 to May 7 in a typical year, keyed to Louisiana's median last frost around Feb 28. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Bell Peppers dates for a typical Louisiana season.
1 · Start indoors
Feb 2 to Mar 26
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 16 to May 7
Keyed to the ~Feb 28 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 18" apart.
Harvest
~70 days later
~4 lb per plant over ~8 weeks.
Louisiana spans more than one climate: Zone 9 is the most common zone, but the state runs 8b to 9b. 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.