When to Plant Peppers in Ohio
In Ohio, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Apr 22 – May 6 in Cleveland to May 22 – Jun 5 in Warren. In Columbus, it's May 4 – May 18. The average last spring frost differs by about 4 weeks across the state (Apr 8 in Cleveland, May 8 in Warren), 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 Ohio by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Beavercreek | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Canton | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Cincinnati | 6b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Cleveland | 7a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Cleveland Heights | 6b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Columbus | 6b | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Cuyahoga Falls | 6b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Dayton | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Delaware | 6b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Dublin | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Elyria | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Euclid | 7a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Fairfield | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Findlay | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Gahanna | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Grove City | 6b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Hamilton | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Hilliard | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Huber Heights | 6b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Kettering | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Lakewood | 7a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Lancaster | 6a | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Lorain | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Mansfield | 6a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Marion | 6a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Mason | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Mentor | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Middletown | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Newark | 6a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| North Ridgeville | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Parma | 6b | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Reynoldsburg | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Springfield | 6a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Strongsville | 6b | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Toledo | 6b | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Upper Arlington | 6b | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Warren | 6a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Westerville | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Youngstown | 6a | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 |
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 Ohio, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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