Minnesota · zones 3b–5a
When to plant bell peppers in Minnesota.
Sow or transplant between May 21 to Jul 12 in a typical year, keyed to Minnesota's median last frost around May 5. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Bell Peppers dates for a typical Minnesota season.
1 · Start indoors
Apr 9 to May 31
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
May 21 to Jul 12
Keyed to the ~May 5 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 18" apart.
Harvest
~70 days later
~4 lb per plant over ~8 weeks.
Minnesota spans more than one climate: Zone 4 is the most common zone, but the state runs 3b to 5a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.