When to plant hot pepper in North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA zones 7a–8b, so the right time to plant hot pepper shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 29 in Goldsboro to May 16 in Boone — below are local dates for 96 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 8a | March 30 | November 3 | April 13 – April 20 |
| Raleigh | 8a | March 28 | November 8 | April 11 – April 18 |
| Greensboro | 8a | April 1 | November 4 | April 15 – April 22 |
| Durham | 8a | April 2 | November 4 | April 16 – April 23 |
| Winston-Salem | 8a | March 26 | November 9 | April 9 – April 16 |
| Fayetteville | 8a | March 30 | November 10 | April 13 – April 20 |
| Cary | 8a | March 27 | November 8 | April 10 – April 17 |
| Wilmington | 8b | March 19 | November 20 | April 2 – April 9 |
Hot Pepper in North Carolina: FAQ
When can I plant hot pepper in North Carolina?
Across North Carolina, the time to transplant hot pepper spans roughly March 29 in Goldsboro to May 16 in Boone, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the hot pepper planting date vary across North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina publishes 96 cities with their own frost dates, so the right hot pepper planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does hot pepper take to grow in North Carolina?
Hot Pepper takes about 70–100 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.