When to Plant Peppers in Minnesota
In Minnesota, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from May 7 – May 21 in Minneapolis to May 28 – Jun 11 in Duluth. In Minneapolis, it's May 7 – May 21. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 23 in Minneapolis, May 14 in Duluth), 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 Minnesota by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andover | 4b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Apple Valley | 5a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Austin | 4b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Blaine | 5a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Bloomington | 5a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Brooklyn Center | 5a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Brooklyn Park | 5a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Burnsville | 5a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Chaska | 4b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Coon Rapids | 5a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Cottage Grove | 5a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Duluth | 4b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 11 |
| Eagan | 5a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Eden Prairie | 5a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Edina | 5a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Elk River | 4b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Fridley | 5a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Inver Grove Heights | 5a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Lakeville | 4b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Mankato | 5a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Maple Grove | 5a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Maplewood | 5a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Minneapolis | 5a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Minnetonka | 5a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Moorhead | 4a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Oakdale | 5a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Plymouth | 5a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Prior Lake | 4b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Ramsey | 4b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Richfield | 5a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Rochester | 4b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Rosemount | 5a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Roseville | 5a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Savage | 5a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Shakopee | 5a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Shoreview | 5a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| St. Cloud | 4b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| St. Louis Park | 5a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| St. Paul | 5a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Woodbury | 5a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
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 Minnesota, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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