FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Michigan

In a typical Michigan location, start seeds indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 26 in Port Huron and as late as May 26 in Cadillac.

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
DetroitFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 12
Grand RapidsFeb 25 – Mar 11May 13 – May 27
WarrenFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 12
Sterling HeightsFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
Ann ArborFeb 24 – Mar 10May 12 – May 26
LansingFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
Clinton TownshipFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
FlintFeb 25 – Mar 11May 13 – May 27
DearbornFeb 16 – Mar 2May 4 – May 18
LivoniaFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
CantonFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
TroyFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
WestlandFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
Farmington HillsFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
KalamazooFeb 17 – Mar 3May 5 – May 19
WaterfordFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
WyomingFeb 25 – Mar 11May 13 – May 27
ShelbyFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
Rochester HillsFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
SouthfieldFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
West Bloomfield TownshipFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
TaylorFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
PontiacFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
Saint Clair ShoresFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
Royal OakFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 12
NoviFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
Dearborn HeightsFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
Battle CreekFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
KentwoodFeb 25 – Mar 11May 13 – May 27
RedfordFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22

Showing the 30 most populous of 120 Michigan cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Michigan cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Michigan?

In a typical Michigan location, start seeds indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 26 in Port Huron and as late as May 26 in Cadillac.

When is the last frost in Michigan?

The average last spring frost in Michigan ranges from April 19 in Port Huron to May 19 in Cadillac, 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 Michigan

When to plant peppers in other states

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