FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Minnesota

In a typical Minnesota 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 28 in Winona and as late as Jun 12 in Hibbing.

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
MinneapolisFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
Saint PaulFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
RochesterFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
BloomingtonFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
DuluthMar 5 – Mar 19May 21 – Jun 4
Brooklyn ParkFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
PlymouthFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
Maple GroveFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
WoodburyFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
EaganFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
Saint CloudFeb 26 – Mar 12May 14 – May 28
Eden PrairieFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
West Coon RapidsFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
Coon RapidsFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
BlaineFeb 24 – Mar 10May 12 – May 26
BurnsvilleFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
LakevilleFeb 16 – Mar 2May 4 – May 18
MinnetonkaFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
Apple ValleyFeb 16 – Mar 2May 4 – May 18
EdinaFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
Minnetonka MillsFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
Saint Louis ParkFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
MoorheadFeb 24 – Mar 10May 12 – May 26
MankatoFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
MaplewoodFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
ShakopeeFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
RichfieldFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
Cottage GroveFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
RosevilleFeb 17 – Mar 3May 5 – May 19
Inver Grove HeightsFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15

Showing the 30 most populous of 104 Minnesota cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Minnesota cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Minnesota?

In a typical Minnesota 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 28 in Winona and as late as Jun 12 in Hibbing.

When is the last frost in Minnesota?

The average last spring frost in Minnesota ranges from April 21 in Winona to June 5 in Hibbing, 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 Minnesota

When to plant peppers in other states

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