Pennsylvania · zones 5b–7b
When to plant bell peppers in Pennsylvania.
Sow or transplant between May 11 to Jul 2 in a typical year, keyed to Pennsylvania's median last frost around Apr 25. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Bell Peppers dates for a typical Pennsylvania season.
1 · Start indoors
Mar 30 to May 21
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
May 11 to Jul 2
Keyed to the ~Apr 25 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 18" apart.
Harvest
~70 days later
~4 lb per plant over ~8 weeks.
Pennsylvania spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 5b to 7b. 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.