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When to Plant Peppers in Monongalia County, WV

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.

Monongalia County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 3,444 feet, Monongalia County receives approximately 53.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peppers during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peppers root diseases.

Monongalia County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Monongalia County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 16

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Peppers needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 3,102 GDD Excellent fit

Peppers Planting Timeline โ€” Monongalia County, WV

Peppers Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Sep 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Monongalia 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 Monongalia County, WV?

Monongalia County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Peppers planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monongalia County, WV?

Monongalia County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Monongalia County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Monongalia County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.