Peppers need an early start and consistent warmth — get the timing right and you'll have colourful, flavourful fruits from July through October.
Ready to start growing? Read our full How to Grow Peppers UK →
Sowing dates and growing advice verified against RHS guidance by the SoilCommander Growing Team.
Part of the UK Vegetable Planting Calendar — see all sowing dates and monthly guides.
Pepper Sowing & Planting Calendar
| Task | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors (heated propagator) | Late Jan – March | 22–28°C ideal; 18–21°C minimum |
| Transplant outdoors | Late May – mid June | Nights consistently above 10–12°C |
| Harvest | July – October | Green or fully coloured; pick regularly |
Top Mistakes to Avoid
- Sowing too late: Sow by March at the latest.
- Not enough heat: Use a propagator or heat mat.
- Planting out too early: Wait until nights are reliably above 10°C.
Regional Planting Notes
Outside the South, growing peppers outdoors is rarely worth the risk — the RHS notes cooler northern areas and Scotland get far more reliable crops under glass, while milder southern regions can succeed outdoors with cloche or fleece protection.
Recommended Varieties
- 'Redskin' — compact at 45cm, well suited to containers and smaller greenhouses
- California Wonder — classic reliable blocky sweet pepper, good under glass across the UK
- 'Apache' (chilli) — compact, very productive, medium heat, copes well in a UK season
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow peppers outdoors in the UK?
Only in very warm, sheltered locations with reliably mild nights — most UK gardeners get much better results growing peppers under glass.
How long from sowing to harvest for peppers?
Roughly 20–30 weeks — greenhouse-grown peppers start cropping mid-summer, while outdoor plants typically don't begin until August.
Do peppers and chillies need different care?
Chillies need an even longer season than sweet peppers and are best sown in February rather than March, but otherwise both are grown the same way.
Plan Your Pepper Sowings
Peppers need a heated propagator start in February — get that reminder plus harvest planning for peppers and 38 other UK crops.
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Last updated 4 July 2026
Plan The Timing Before You Sow
Use the planting window with a planner, seed-starting setup, and the full calendar so dates stay practical for your garden.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.