FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Indiana

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in Evansville and as late as May 9 in Auburn.

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
IndianapolisFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
Fort WayneFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
EvansvilleJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 5 – Apr 19
South BendFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
CarmelFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 12
BloomingtonFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 22 – May 6
HammondFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
GaryFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
FishersFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 12
LafayetteFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
MuncieFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 23 – May 7
Terre HauteFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 22 – May 6
NoblesvilleFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 12
KokomoFeb 16 – Mar 2May 4 – May 18
GreenwoodFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
AndersonFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
ElkhartFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
MishawakaFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
LawrenceFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 25 – May 9
JeffersonvilleJan 20 – Feb 3Apr 7 – Apr 21
ColumbusJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 18 – May 2
West LafayetteFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
PortageFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
WestfieldFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 12
New AlbanyJan 20 – Feb 3Apr 7 – Apr 21
RichmondFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
MerrillvilleFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
GoshenFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
ValparaisoFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
Michigan CityFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10

Showing the 30 most populous of 88 Indiana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Indiana cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Indiana?

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in Evansville and as late as May 9 in Auburn.

When is the last frost in Indiana?

The average last spring frost in Indiana ranges from March 29 in Evansville to May 2 in Auburn, 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 Indiana

When to plant peppers in other states

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