When to Plant Chili Pepper in Portsmouth, Virginia (23708)

Location

Portsmouth, Virginia

ZIP Code

23708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, March 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, March 15, 2026 · Zone 8b

Pro tip: Start Chili Pepper seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Capsicum annuum

Days to Maturity 119 days

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun

💧

Water

Regular

Seeds typically germinate in 8-28 days

Ready to Plant Chili Pepper in Portsmouth?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, January 4, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BasilRosemaryOreganoParsleyMarjoramTomatoGeraniumPetuniaBell PepperCucumberEggplantEscaroleOkraSwiss ChardSquash

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Chili Pepper

See which plants help Chili Pepper thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Allow peppers to ripen fully to their final color before collecting seeds.

Processing

Remove seeds from ripe pepper, dry flat for 1–2 weeks. Handle hot varieties with gloves.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Peppers cross freely between varieties of the same species. Cage plants or isolate by 300 feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chili Pepper in Portsmouth, Virginia? +

In Portsmouth (Zone 8b), start Chili Pepper seeds indoors around Sunday, January 4, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Portsmouth, Virginia? +

The average last spring frost date for Portsmouth, Virginia (ZIP 23708) is around Sunday, March 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8b.

How long does Chili Pepper take to grow? +

Chili Pepper typically matures in about 119 days from transplanting. In Portsmouth, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, March 29, 2026 plus 119 days.

Should I start Chili Pepper indoors or direct sow in Virginia? +

Chili Pepper should be started indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date. In Portsmouth, that means starting around Sunday, January 4, 2026.

📚 More Chili Pepper Planting Guides

🗺️

Chili Pepper in Virginia

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8b Chili Pepper Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Chili Pepper in Zone 8b

Chili Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Portsmouth, Virginia, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, you should start seeds indoors around Sunday, January 4, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, March 15, 2026. Plan to transplant your Chili Pepper seedlings outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.