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When to Plant Hot Peppers in Tuscarawas County, OH

Hot peppers range from mildly spicy jalapenos to scorching superhots. They require long, warm growing seasons and produce capsaicin that gives them their heat.

Tuscarawas County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 702 feet, Tuscarawas County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hot Peppers during the growing season.

Tuscarawas County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Tuscarawas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Oct 28
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Nov 15

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Hot Peppers needs ~1,449 GDD — county provides 2,592 GDD Excellent fit

Hot Peppers Planting Timeline โ€” Tuscarawas County, OH

Hot Peppers Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Oct 28

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

70โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Tuscarawas County

Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost as they germinate slowly. Use heat mats to maintain 80-85F soil temperature for germination. Stress plants slightly by reducing water to increase heat levels.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel
  • Kohlrabi

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Hot Peppers in Tuscarawas County, OH?

Tuscarawas County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Hot Peppers planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tuscarawas County, OH?

Tuscarawas County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tuscarawas County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Tuscarawas County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.