FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Ohio

In a typical Ohio 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 15 in Cleveland and as late as May 15 in Girard.

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
ColumbusFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
ClevelandJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 15 – Apr 29
CincinnatiFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 23 – May 7
ToledoFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
AkronFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
DaytonFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 25 – May 9
ParmaFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
CantonFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
YoungstownFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
LorainFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
HamiltonFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
SpringfieldFeb 14 – Feb 28May 2 – May 16
KetteringFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 25 – May 9
ElyriaFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
LakewoodFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
Cuyahoga FallsFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
MiddletownFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
NewarkFeb 18 – Mar 4May 6 – May 20
EuclidJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 15 – Apr 29
MentorFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
MansfieldFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
BeavercreekFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 25 – May 9
DublinFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
Cleveland HeightsJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 15 – Apr 29
StrongsvilleFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
FairfieldFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
FindlayFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
WarrenFeb 27 – Mar 13May 15 – May 29
LancasterFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
Grove CityFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14

Showing the 30 most populous of 203 Ohio cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Ohio cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Ohio?

In a typical Ohio 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 15 in Cleveland and as late as May 15 in Girard.

When is the last frost in Ohio?

The average last spring frost in Ohio ranges from April 8 in Cleveland to May 8 in Girard, 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 Ohio

When to plant peppers in other states

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