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When to Plant Peppers in Bee County, TX

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.

Bee County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 301 days.

At an elevation of 2,076 feet, Bee County receives approximately 68.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Peppers may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peppers root diseases.

Bee County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
301 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
301 growing days
First Fall Frost December 11

Bee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (173 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 15 Transplant: Feb 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – Jun 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 2 Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 23

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.

Soil Compatibility in Bee County

How your county's soil matches Peppers's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.5) is more alkaline than Peppers prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Bee County is excellent for Peppers โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Peppers.

How to Plant Peppers

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Peppers

6
successive plantings in your 301-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 12 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 404 gal / 100 sq ft
Peppers needs ~2,044 GDD — county provides 8,229 GDD Excellent fit

Peppers Planting Timeline โ€” Bee County, TX

Peppers Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 2 Jan 2 โ€“ Jan 16
Transplant Outdoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Mar 6
Harvest April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ Jul 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

301 days in Bee County

Growing Tips for Peppers in Bee County

Direct sow Peppers outdoors after February 13 in Bee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 103ยฐF in Bee County, provide afternoon shade for Peppers and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Peppers in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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.

Recommended Peppers Varieties for Bee County

Heat-loving peppers that thrive in your hot summers

NuMex Joe E. Parker Ancho 211 Mariachi

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 Bee County, TX?

Bee County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Peppers planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bee County, TX?

Bee County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bee County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Bee County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.