Massachusetts · zones 5a–7a
When to plant bell peppers in Massachusetts.
Sow or transplant between May 8 to Jun 29 in a typical year, keyed to Massachusetts's median last frost around Apr 22. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Bell Peppers dates for a typical Massachusetts season.
1 · Start indoors
Mar 27 to May 18
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
May 8 to Jun 29
Keyed to the ~Apr 22 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 18" apart.
Harvest
~70 days later
~4 lb per plant over ~8 weeks.
Massachusetts spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 5a to 7a. 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.