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When to plant Peppers in Keweenaw County, MI

Keweenaw County's 135-day season only supports one Peppers planting per year. Sow between May 26 and June 16 for the best chance at full maturity before October 1.

When to Plant Peppers in Keweenaw County, MI

Peppers

Sweet peppers are warm-season crops producing fruits in a rainbow of colors. They turn from green to red, yellow, or orange as they ripen, increasing in sweetness.

Keweenaw County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 1,035 feet, Keweenaw County receives approximately 40.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Peppers to ensure they mature before fall.

Keweenaw County, MI (Zone 5b) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
135 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Keweenaw County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Peppers to Grow

3-5 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 peppers plants in about 24 sq ft. In Keweenaw County's 135-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Peppers Planting Timeline — Keweenaw County, MI

Peppers Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 – Jun 16
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 – Jun 16
Harvest August 4 Aug 4 – Oct 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

135 days in Keweenaw County

Growing Tips for Keweenaw County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant when nighttime temperatures stay above 55F. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote leaves over fruit.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel
  • Kohlrabi

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Peppers Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Remove seeds from fully ripe (red/orange) fruit.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4 years at 35°F, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 300 ft for purity. Hot and sweet peppers can cross-pollinate.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Peppers in Keweenaw County, MI?

Keweenaw County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Peppers planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Keweenaw County, MI?

Keweenaw County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is October 1.

When should I plant Peppers in Keweenaw County, MI?

In Keweenaw County, MI, plant Peppers after the last frost (around May 19) and before the first frost (around October 1). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Keweenaw County, MI for Peppers?

Keweenaw County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Peppers grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Peppers grow in Keweenaw County's climate?

Yes — Peppers grows well in Keweenaw County's temperate climate. Keweenaw County averages a 135-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 19 and first frost around October 1.

🌱

Your Keweenaw County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Keweenaw County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.