When to plant hot pepper in Virginia
Virginia 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 30 in Norfolk to May 10 in Radford — below are local dates for 127 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 8b | March 29 | November 12 | April 12 – April 19 |
| Chesapeake | 8a | March 23 | November 18 | April 6 – April 13 |
| Arlington | 7b | March 24 | November 18 | April 7 – April 14 |
| Norfolk | 8b | March 16 | November 26 | March 30 – April 6 |
| Richmond | 7b | April 3 | November 4 | April 17 – April 24 |
| Newport News | 8a | April 1 | November 9 | April 15 – April 22 |
| Alexandria | 8a | March 24 | November 18 | April 7 – April 14 |
| Hampton | 8b | March 24 | November 15 | April 7 – April 14 |
Hot Pepper in Virginia: FAQ
When can I plant hot pepper in Virginia?
Across Virginia, the time to transplant hot pepper spans roughly March 30 in Norfolk to May 10 in Radford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the hot pepper planting date vary across Virginia?
Yes. Virginia publishes 127 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 Virginia?
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.
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