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When to Plant Peppers in Cameron County, TX

Peppers

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.

Cameron County, Texas is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost is December 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 4,025 feet, Cameron County receives approximately 58.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103°F, 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.

Cameron County, TX (Zone 10a) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 4
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 22

Cameron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Peppers to Grow

3-5 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 peppers plants in about 24 sq ft. In Cameron County's 321-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Monthly Watering Guide for Peppers

Peppers needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Peppers Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Cameron County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Peppers Planting Timeline — Cameron County, TX

Peppers Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 24 Dec 24 – Jan 7
Transplant Outdoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Direct Sow February 4 Feb 4 – Feb 25
Harvest April 15 Apr 15 – Jun 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

321 days in Cameron County

Growing Tips for Cameron 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 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 35°F, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 300 ft for purity. Hot and sweet peppers can cross-pollinate.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Peppers in Cameron County, TX?

Cameron County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of February 4. Plan your Peppers planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cameron County, TX?

Cameron County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 4 and first fall frost is December 22.

🌱

Your Cameron County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cameron County (Zone 10a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cameron County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.