When to Plant Peppers in Illinois
In Illinois, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Apr 24 – May 8 in Chicago to May 14 – May 28 in Waukegan. In Chicago, it's Apr 24 – May 8. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 10 in Chicago, Apr 30 in Waukegan), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in Illinois by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | 6a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Aurora | 5b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Bartlett | 5b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Belleville | 7a | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Berwyn | 6a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Bloomington | 6a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Bolingbrook | 6a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Buffalo Grove | 6a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Champaign | 6a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Chicago | 6a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Cicero | 6a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Crystal Lake | 5b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Decatur | 6a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Des Plaines | 6a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Downers Grove | 6a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Elgin | 5b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Elmhurst | 6a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Evanston | 6a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Glenview | 6a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Hoffman Estates | 5b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Joliet | 5b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Lombard | 6a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Moline | 5b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Mount Prospect | 6a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Naperville | 5b | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Normal | 6a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Oak Lawn | 6a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Oak Park | 6a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Orland Park | 6a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Palatine | 5b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Peoria | 6a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Plainfield | 5b | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Rockford | 5b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Romeoville | 6a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Schaumburg | 5b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Skokie | 6a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Springfield | 6a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Tinley Park | 6a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Waukegan | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Wheaton | 5b | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Illinois, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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