Plant Seeds

• Many gardeners start pepper seeds inside eight to 10 weeks before the estimated last frost in the spring. Read the seed packet to determine the germination time for the variety chosen. This will give you an idea of when to sow the seeds indoors to produce a seedling strong enough to plant outdoors in late spring. Peppers have a seed-to-maturity rate of 65 to 85 days, depending on the variety. Give the plants approximately six weeks of growth indoors to create a seedling that is 5 to 6 inches tall.
  
  

Plant Seedlings

• Pepper seedlings grow quickly when planted outdoors in an area that receives full sunlight. The seedlings are susceptible to cold and frost damage, so it is important to wait for planting the seedling outside until there is no longer a risk of frost in spring. Pepper plants respond best to a garden soil that is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The outside temperature should not drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent stunted plants with reduced pepper production.
  
  

Summer Planting

• Pepper seedlings grow best outside when planted before the end of the month of June in most regions. This gives the plants enough time to mature and produce a harvest before the fall frost. Sowing seeds outdoors during the summer months may not produce plants large enough for a pepper harvest. The plants may require covering in early fall to protect maturing peppers if there are early frost warnings. Pepper plants grow well as a container plant outdoors. This allows you to bring the containers indoors at night to protect maturing fruit during the fall season.
  
  

Care

• Peppers planted outside have maintenance requirements to assist with plant health and production. Monitor the soil moisture to keep it evenly dry during the growing season. Allowing the soil dry out between watering may stunt the plants and reduce pepper production. Apply a vegetable fertilizer when transplanting the pepper seedlings outside to stimulate root establishment in the new environment.