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When to Plant Peppers in Coahoma County, MS

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.

Coahoma County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 490 feet, Coahoma County receives approximately 54.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Peppers may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Peppers, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peppers root diseases.

Coahoma County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 16
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Coahoma County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 5 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Aug 10
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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 114 gal / 100 sq ft
Peppers needs ~1,650 GDD — county provides 5,280 GDD Excellent fit

Peppers Planting Timeline โ€” Coahoma County, MS

Peppers Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 12 Jan 12 โ€“ Jan 26
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors 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

240 days

Growing Tips for Coahoma 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 Coahoma County, MS?

Coahoma County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 16. Plan your Peppers planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coahoma County, MS?

Coahoma County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 16 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Coahoma 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 Coahoma County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.