When to Plant Serrano Pepper in Fair Oaks, California (95628)

Location

Fair Oaks, California

ZIP Code

95628

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Transplant Outdoors

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Based on last frost Tuesday, February 10, 2026 · Zone 9b

Pro tip: Start Serrano Pepper seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Capsicum annuum

Days to Maturity 80 days

Mature Height 24-36"

Spread 18"

Type Bush

Fruit Size Small (1-2 inches)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Moderate

↔️

Spacing

18" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Serrano Pepper in Fair Oaks?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

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🤝 Good Companions

BasilCarrotTomato

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Serrano Pepper

See which plants help Serrano 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 fully ripen red on the plant.

Processing

Remove seeds carefully — serrano is quite hot. Dry flat for 1–2 weeks. Gloves recommended.

Seed Viability

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

Pro Tip

C. annuum — crosses freely with other annuum peppers. Isolate by 300 feet for pure seed.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 14 plants of Serrano Pepper. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Serrano Pepper in Fair Oaks, California? +

In Fair Oaks (Zone 9b), start Serrano Pepper seeds indoors around Tuesday, December 2, 2025 and transplant outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Fair Oaks, California? +

The average last spring frost date for Fair Oaks, California (ZIP 95628) is around Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 9b.

How long does Serrano Pepper take to grow? +

Serrano Pepper typically matures in about 80 days from transplanting. In Fair Oaks, that means you can expect harvest around Tuesday, February 24, 2026 plus 80 days.

Should I start Serrano Pepper indoors or direct sow in California? +

Serrano Pepper should be started indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date. In Fair Oaks, that means starting around Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

📚 More Serrano Pepper Planting Guides

🗺️

Serrano Pepper in California

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 9b Serrano Pepper Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Serrano Pepper in Zone 9b

Serrano Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Fair Oaks, California, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, you should start seeds indoors around Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

Your average last frost date is Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Plan to transplant your Serrano Pepper seedlings outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.