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When to Plant Peppers in Calhoun 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.

Calhoun County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 294 days.

At an elevation of 215 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 59.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, 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.

Calhoun County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
294 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
294 growing days
First Fall Frost December 7

Calhoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (171 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 12 Transplant: Jan 30 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 5 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 27 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 28

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 Calhoun County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.8) overlaps with Peppers's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Peppers.

How to Plant Peppers

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

Succession Planting Peppers

5
successive plantings in your 294-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 08 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 664 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Peppers

Peppers needs approximately 1.1 inches of water per week (4.8" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Peppers Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 4.8" 2.2" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Mar 4.8" 4.6" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.8" 6.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.8" 8.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.8" 9.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.8" 7.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.8" 6.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.8" 5.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.8" 3.9" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.8" 2.2" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec 4.8" 1.9" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Calhoun County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Peppers Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Peppers needs ~1,819 GDD — county provides 7,153 GDD Excellent fit

Peppers Planting Timeline โ€” Calhoun County, TX

Peppers Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 5 Jan 5 โ€“ Jan 19
Transplant Outdoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Direct Sow February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 9
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ Jul 6

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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

294 days in Calhoun County

Growing Tips for Peppers in Calhoun County

Direct sow Peppers outdoors after February 16 in Calhoun County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 99ยฐF in Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

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 Calhoun County, TX?

Calhoun County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Peppers planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Calhoun County, TX?

Calhoun County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Calhoun 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 Calhoun County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.