8 weeks before you plan on putting them in the ground but that does not include the hardening off time.

Dale

I'm in Z6 as well although with the new zone update I'm in 7. Last year I started them late March and although I got many peppers, they were late comers.

I say end of January is a good time to start.

Remember, they are slow to germinate (8-14 days) so theres 2 weeks gone already. Now we're mid february.

Then by the time they are 8 weeks old it'll be warm enough to put them outside. Mid April. Finally in May you'll be ahead of the game with some nice plants.

If you think April is not warm enough then start them mid February.

Make sure you transplant seedlings to pots inside and keep them warm with air under good light.

I start 8 weeks before last frost date and the at that date harden them off for two weeks and then put them outside for good.So they are outside two weeks after last frost. In my experience putting them out too early can result in stunted plants that don't do well. Plants I start late always catch up with the early ones. Just my experience here in Maine.

John

I will be starting my slower ones today. Mostly the Chinense.

Dale