When to Plant Peppers in Big Horn County, MT
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.
Big Horn County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.
At an elevation of 5,955 feet, Big Horn County receives approximately 22.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Peppers to ensure they mature before fall.
Big Horn County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.6
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Peppers Planting Timeline — Big Horn County, MT
Peppers Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 3 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 |
| Direct Sow | May 27 | May 27 – Jun 17 |
| Harvest | August 5 | Aug 5 – Oct 14 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
USDA Zone
Zone 4b
Growing Season
140 days
Growing Tips for Big Horn 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
Level Up Your Garden
Isolate 300 ft for purity. Hot and sweet peppers can cross-pollinate.
Peppers in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Peppers in Big Horn County, MT?
Big Horn County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Peppers planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Big Horn County, MT?
Big Horn County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 30.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Big Horn County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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