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When to plant peppers in zone 5b

In zone 5b, where the last spring frost typically comes around May 1, start peppers indoors March 7 to April 4 and plant out May 23 to June 6.

The zone 5b schedule for peppers

Start seeds indoors
March 7 to April 4
Plant out
May 23 to June 6
Sow outdoors
May 23 to 30
Soil warm enough (60°F), about
May 23
First harvest, roughly
July 27 to August 30

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 2,546 ZIP codes in zone 5b, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for peppers.

Frost risk in zone 5b

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 5b, the typical last frost ranges from about April 21 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to May 18 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from September 30 to October 19. For a typical place in the zone:

  • April 18Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • May 1Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • May 16Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10

Peppers are killed by frost, so if you want to be safe, plant out after the safe date rather than the typical one, or be ready to cover plants on a cold night.

Your dates for peppers

Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant peppers where you live, from the frost records of the nearest NOAA weather station. Your ZIP code is remembered on this device only.

Enter your ZIP code

Peppers in zone 5b cities

CityTypical last frostStart indoorsPlant out
Milwaukee, WIApr 19Mar 9 to Apr 6May 25 to Jun 8
Madison, WIMay 1Mar 6 to Apr 3May 22 to Jun 5
Des Moines, IAApr 18Feb 22 to Mar 22May 10 to 24
Aurora, ILApr 19Feb 27 to Mar 27May 15 to 29
Fort Collins, COMay 2Mar 7 to Apr 4May 23 to Jun 6
Naperville, ILApr 19Feb 27 to Mar 27May 15 to 29
Rockford, ILApr 24Feb 27 to Mar 27May 15 to 29
Elgin, ILApr 26Mar 2 to 30May 18 to Jun 1
Greeley, COMay 2Mar 2 to 30May 18 to Jun 1
Green Bay, WIApr 30Mar 10 to Apr 7May 26 to Jun 9
Davenport, IAApr 19Feb 24 to Mar 24May 12 to 26
Longmont, COMay 6Mar 9 to Apr 6May 25 to Jun 8

How to grow peppersAll zonesPeppers in zone 5aPeppers in zone 6aAbout zone 5b

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