FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Wisconsin

In a typical Wisconsin 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 Kenosha and as late as May 18 in Merrill.

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
MilwaukeeFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
MadisonFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
Green BayFeb 26 – Mar 12May 14 – May 28
KenoshaFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
RacineFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 27 – May 11
AppletonFeb 23 – Mar 9May 11 – May 25
WaukeshaFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
Eau ClaireFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
OshkoshFeb 13 – Feb 27May 1 – May 15
JanesvilleFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
West AllisFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
La CrosseFeb 16 – Mar 2May 4 – May 18
North La CrosseFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 30 – May 14
SheboyganFeb 14 – Feb 28May 2 – May 16
WauwatosaFeb 15 – Mar 1May 3 – May 17
Fond du LacFeb 16 – Mar 2May 4 – May 18
New BerlinFeb 22 – Mar 8May 10 – May 24
WausauFeb 25 – Mar 11May 13 – May 27
BrookfieldFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
GreenfieldFeb 22 – Mar 8May 10 – May 24
BeloitFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
FranklinFeb 22 – Mar 8May 10 – May 24
Menomonee FallsFeb 25 – Mar 11May 13 – May 27
Oak CreekFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 29 – May 13
ManitowocFeb 19 – Mar 5May 7 – May 21
Sun PrairieFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
West BendFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
FitchburgFeb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 22
Stevens PointFeb 23 – Mar 9May 11 – May 25
SuperiorFeb 25 – Mar 11May 13 – May 27

Showing the 30 most populous of 96 Wisconsin cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Wisconsin cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Wisconsin?

In a typical Wisconsin 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 Kenosha and as late as May 18 in Merrill.

When is the last frost in Wisconsin?

The average last spring frost in Wisconsin ranges from April 19 in Kenosha to May 11 in Merrill, 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 Wisconsin

When to plant peppers in other states

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