FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Illinois

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 8 in Granite City and as late as May 8 in Roscoe.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–90 days

Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.

Peppers Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
ChicagoJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
AuroraFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
RockfordFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
JolietFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
NapervilleFeb 17 – Mar 3May 5 – May 19
PeoriaFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 23 – May 7
SpringfieldFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 22 – May 6
North PeoriaFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 23 – May 7
ElginFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
WaukeganFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
ChampaignFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 22 – May 6
CiceroJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 18 – May 2
BloomingtonFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 12
Arlington HeightsFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
EvanstonFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
SchaumburgFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
BolingbrookFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
DecaturFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 21 – May 5
PalatineFeb 14 – Feb 28May 2 – May 16
SkokieFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
Des PlainesFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 23 – May 7
Orland ParkFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
Tinley ParkFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
Oak LawnJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
BerwynJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 18 – May 2
Mount ProspectFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
NormalFeb 14 – Feb 28May 2 – May 16
WheatonFeb 17 – Mar 3May 5 – May 19
Oak ParkJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 18 – May 2
Hoffman EstatesFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21

Showing the 30 most populous of 242 Illinois cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Illinois cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Illinois?

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 8 in Granite City and as late as May 8 in Roscoe.

When is the last frost in Illinois?

The average last spring frost in Illinois ranges from April 1 in Granite City to May 1 in Roscoe, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do peppers take to grow?

Peppers typically take 60–90 days from planting to harvest. Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.

Other Crops in Illinois

When to plant peppers in other states

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