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When to Plant Peppers in Randolph 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.

Randolph County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 3,202 feet, Randolph County receives approximately 54.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Peppers during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Peppers root diseases.

Randolph County, WV (Zone 5b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Randolph County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Oct 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 18

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
1.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Peppers needs ~1,144 GDD — county provides 2,394 GDD Excellent fit

Peppers Planting Timeline โ€” Randolph County, WV

Peppers Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 5
Direct Sow May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jun 5
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Oct 2

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

157 days

Growing Tips for Randolph 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 Randolph County, WV?

Randolph County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Peppers planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Randolph County, WV?

Randolph County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Randolph County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Randolph County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.