Blog

When to Plant Peppers in Drew County, AR

Sweet peppers are warm-season crops producing fruits in a rainbow of colors. They turn from green to red, yellow, or orange as they ripen, increasing in sweetness.

Drew County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 1,158 feet, Drew County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peppers during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peppers root diseases.

Drew County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Drew County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 5 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 14 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Sep 2

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 65 gal / 100 sq ft
Peppers needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 4,147 GDD Excellent fit

Peppers Planting Timeline โ€” Drew County, AR

Peppers Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 14 Jan 14 โ€“ Jan 28
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Aug 12

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

237 days

Growing Tips for Drew County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant when nighttime temperatures stay above 55F. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote leaves over fruit.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel
  • Kohlrabi

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Peppers Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Remove seeds from fully ripe (red/orange) fruit.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4 years at 35ยฐF, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 300 ft for purity. Hot and sweet peppers can cross-pollinate.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Peppers in Drew County, AR?

Drew County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Peppers planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Drew County, AR?

Drew County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Drew County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Drew County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.