When to Plant Peppers
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GardenSays
Start pepper seeds indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24; transplant once frost danger is past and soil has warmed to ~65°F — typically May 19 – May 26 here.
- Start seeds indoors
- Mar 10 – Mar 24
- Transplant outside
- May 19 – May 26
- Last frost (typ.)
- May 5
In Minneapolis, MN, the typical last frost lands around May 5. Working back 8-10 weeks from transplant time gives you a seed-starting window of Mar 10 – Mar 24 indoors. Peppers are very frost-tender, so wait for two conditions — frost danger past AND soil around 65°F — which here typically means May 19-May 26.
- This year's transplant window (May 19 – May 26) has passed — dates shown are for planning next season.
Do this this week
- 1.Passed for this season — plan next spring: start seeds indoors ~Mar 10 – Mar 24, transplant ~May 19 – May 26
Calculated result · 3 verified sources · Checked 2026-07-15 · How we decide
Why
That leaves roughly 132 days of growing season before the typical first fall frost (Oct 5) — enough for most varieties. In a short-season area, favor early-maturing varieties (check the days-to-maturity on the tag).
- Frost kills tender seedlings outright, and cold soil stunts them even without frost — both dates matter.
- The 50% frost date is a planning midpoint: a late frost is still possible, so keep covers handy for the first two weeks.
When this doesn't apply
- Season extenders (row covers, walls of water, cold frames) let you plant 2-3 weeks earlier than these windows.
- Frost dates are area averages — low spots and valley floors run colder than the local average.
How this was calculated
- 1. Last spring frostMay 5Source guidance
Minneapolis, MN: typical (50% probability) last 32°F frost
- 2. Seed starting windowMar 10 – Mar 24Calculated result
Pepper: start indoors 8-10 weeks before your typical transplant date
- 3. Transplant windowMay 19 – May 26Calculated result
Pepper is very frost-tender: go out 14-21 days after the last frost, once soil reaches 65°F
- 4. First fall frostOct 5Source guidance
Minneapolis, MN: typical first 32°F frost in fall — the season's endpoint
Data sources
- University of Minnesota Extension — Growing peppers in home gardens — Start pepper seeds indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost; peppers need warmer soil than tomatoes, so transplant 2-3 weeks after the last frost date. (checked 2026-07-15)
- NOAA NCEI — 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals (freeze date probabilities) (checked 2026-07-15)
- National Gardening Association — frost date lookup (checked 2026-07-15)
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