New Mexico · zones 6a–8a
When to plant bell peppers in New Mexico.
Sow or transplant between May 6 to Jun 27 in a typical year, keyed to New Mexico's median last frost around Apr 20. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Bell Peppers dates for a typical New Mexico season.
1 · Start indoors
Mar 25 to May 16
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
May 6 to Jun 27
Keyed to the ~Apr 20 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 18" apart.
Harvest
~70 days later
~4 lb per plant over ~8 weeks.
New Mexico spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 6a to 8a. 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.