Growing Calendar

MenuClose

HomeAboutSearch

When to plant peppers in zone 6a

In zone 6a, where the last spring frost typically comes around April 29, start peppers indoors March 3 to 31 and plant out May 19 to June 2.

The zone 6a schedule for peppers

Start seeds indoors
March 3 to 31
Plant out
May 19 to June 2
Sow outdoors
May 19 to 26
Soil warm enough (60°F), about
May 19
First harvest, roughly
July 23 to August 26

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 4,514 ZIP codes in zone 6a, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for peppers.

Frost risk in zone 6a

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 6a, the typical last frost ranges from about April 16 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to May 11 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from October 4 to October 24. For a typical place in the zone:

  • April 16Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • April 29Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • May 14Safe: 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 6a cities

CityTypical last frostStart indoorsPlant out
Chicago, ILApr 11Feb 24 to Mar 24May 12 to 26
Indianapolis city, INApr 15Feb 17 to Mar 17May 5 to 19
Denver, COMay 4Mar 6 to Apr 3May 22 to Jun 5
Colorado Springs, COMay 3Mar 8 to Apr 5May 24 to Jun 7
Omaha, NEApr 18Feb 19 to Mar 19May 7 to 21
Aurora, COMay 4Mar 6 to Apr 3May 22 to Jun 5
Lincoln, NEApr 24Feb 21 to Mar 21May 9 to 23
Fort Wayne, INApr 24Feb 24 to Mar 24May 12 to 26
Grand Rapids, MIApr 29Mar 3 to 31May 19 to Jun 2
Lakewood, COMay 5Mar 9 to Apr 6May 25 to Jun 8
Springfield, MAMay 3Mar 4 to Apr 1May 20 to Jun 3
Joliet, ILApr 19Feb 28 to Mar 28May 16 to 30

How to grow peppersAll zonesPeppers in zone 5bPeppers in zone 6bAbout zone 6a

Sources