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When to Plant Peppers in Montana

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.

Montana spans USDA hardiness zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Peppers planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Peppers Planting Calendar for Montana

Zone 3b ~135 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 10 · First frost: September 22 · 135 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors May 31 May 31 – Jun 14
Direct Sow May 24 May 24 – Jun 14
Harvest August 2 Aug 2 – Oct 4
Zone 4a ~145 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 6 · First frost: September 28 · 145 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 – Jun 10
Direct Sow May 20 May 20 – Jun 10
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 – Oct 7
Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 – Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 – Jun 5
Direct Sow May 15 May 15 – Jun 5
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 – Oct 2
Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 – May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 – May 23
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 – Sep 19

Growing Tips for Montana

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Peppers in Montana?

Planting dates for Peppers in Montana depend on your USDA zone. Montana spans zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Montana for planting?

Montana contains USDA hardiness zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.