When to plant pepper seedlings in 2025

Planting dates

You can find out when to plant this type of crop by reading the information provided by the manufacturer on the seed packet. Growing season is an important factor. The manufacturer recommends planting in mid-February. This is especially true for late-ripening varieties, which take about 120 days from the emergence of the first fragile shoots to the beginning of fruiting.

When choosing favorable days to plant crops, remember that the start of fruiting and the ripening period are different concepts. If the seeds are overdried, the planting time, or rather, the germination time, will shift by a couple of weeks. The same applies to old seeds that have expired or have been stored for a long time.

Peppers are a healthy but finicky crop. When planting them, consider the location—whether it's a greenhouse with a comfortable microclimate or your own garden plot. Let's take a closer look at when and how exactly to plant peppers to obtain high-quality seedlings, according to the now-famous Lunar Calendar.

For seedlings

Home-grown seedlings have clear advantages over store-bought ones, as they always guarantee the same vegetable variety as the seeds purchased in the store.

Pepper seeds of various varieties tend to take a long time to germinate. Some preliminary preparation is required. The seeds should be dipped in a prepared potassium permanganate solution and soaked for approximately 15 minutes. This will help disinfect the planting material. Then, rinse the seeds with water and dry thoroughly. Experts recommend this procedure in February and March (the very beginning of the month). Experienced gardeners advise against soaking the seeds, as this promotes rapid germination for only a couple of days.

The soil must be moistened immediately before planting. To ensure good seedlings, high-quality seeds are planted in a substrate made from humus, peat, and soil. You can also purchase a ready-made solution from a specialty store. To get rid of pest larvae hiding in the soil, it is recommended to pour boiling water over the soil. Even more effective is baking it in the oven. The seeds are embedded in the prepared soil, and the box is covered with glass or plastic. This always creates a mini greenhouse in which your favorite crops will thrive.

If temperatures are low, there's a risk that the peppers will refuse to sprout. The optimal temperature is 22–25°C (72–77°F). When the first timid shoots appear, remove the film or glass. Care for the seedlings is standard, similar to that for any other vegetable. Key points: sufficient light and warmth. On cloudy days, supplemental lighting is essential. Seedlings require a daytime temperature of 20°C (68°F) and a nighttime temperature of 15°C (59°F).

After a month, the plants should be transplanted into pots. At this stage, each one has at least two leaves. Peppers don't particularly like being pricked out or transplanted. Many gardeners use special pots to produce high-quality seedlings, which, once planted in the soil, become excellent compost.

In 2025, the recommended favorable days for planting pepper seedlings, when experts advise all avid gardeners, are February 16-18, March 17-29, and April 16-28. This is especially true for growing seedlings of this favorite crop in greenhouse conditions.

Into the ground

When should I plant seedlings in the ground this year? It's best to do this after the spring frosts have passed. There's no need to rush this year, as the Easter holidays won't be celebrated until May 1st. Peppers are most often planted outdoors in the first half of June.

The soil for planting should be fertile and light in texture. Organic fertilizers such as humus or superphosphate will help achieve this. Digging and thorough loosening are required. Place the seedlings in the holes with a mixture of compost and soil and water with warm water. It is recommended to plant them 30 cm apart, deepening the plants to the middle of the stem. Water the roots with warm water, but do not overwater.

Mulching the soil with straw or peat is acceptable to prevent it from drying out. During growth, the soil should be loosened to a depth of no more than 5–7 cm. Fertilize with a complete fertilizer once every two weeks. The first buds that appear should be picked.

Peppers do not respond well to sudden temperature changes, excessive sunlight, and dry air—this must be taken into account when growing them.

According to the lunar calendar

According to the Lunar Calendar, revered by many gardeners and vegetable growers, the most favorable days for planning the planting of crop seeds this year are March 8th–11th, 20th–24th; April 7th–11th, 22nd, 23rd, 26th, and 27th.

According to the Lunar Sowing Calendar, it is best to sow on days when the Moon, in its first phase, is under the influence of certain zodiac signs, such as Aries, Sagittarius, Libra or Scorpio.

In central Russia and the Moscow region, the beloved pepper is usually sown for seedlings in late February or early March. In southern Russia and throughout Ukraine, the timing is slightly different: seeds are planted in the soil in the middle of the first month of winter and in early February. In northern Russia, peppers are typically sown for seedlings in late February or early March. The crop is sown for germination in late February if the decision is made to transplant the leaves later.

Video: "Sowing Peppers in February"

This video discusses the best time to sow peppers and how to plant seedlings.