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Can You Grow Bell Pepper in California?

US · USDA Zone 9b · zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Grows well here

Bell peppers grow well here with the warm season needed for full fruit development.

Plant zones

4a–11b

California last frost

mid-January

California first frost

late December

Days to harvest

70–90 days

When to plant Bell Peppers in California

Start indoors

Jan 1

Transplant

Jan 10

Harvest

Mar 21 – Apr 10

Dates are approximate, based on California's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Bell Pepper

Bell peppers need a long warm season and are highly productive once established in summer heat.

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost — peppers are slow to establish. They thrive in heat and dislike cold soil. Feed with low-nitrogen fertiliser once flowering begins.

Full bell pepper growing guide →

Gardening in California

California spans more climate zones than any other state. Coastal regions are mild year-round; the Central Valley is hot and productive; mountains are cold; deserts are extreme.