Frost dates for 53094 — Watertown, WI
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season167 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Watertown compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Watertown falls between April 14 and May 13, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 167-day growing season is longer than 82% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 149 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Waukesha, WI, 44 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Watertown, WI
Frost dates for 53094 — Watertown, WI — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 12, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Watertown, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 28 – Nov 2 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Watertown Wwtp, WI weather station, 3 km away (elevation 827 ft (252 m)).
ZIP codes in Watertown: 53094 53098
Frost dates near Watertown
- Lebanon Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Ixonia Apr 30 · Oct 12
- Clyman Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Johnson Creek Apr 25 · Oct 18
- Reeseville May 2 · Oct 9
- Ashippun Apr 30 · Oct 12
- Lowell May 2 · Oct 9
- Hustisford Apr 28 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Watertown, WI?
The median last spring frost in Watertown, WI is April 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Watertown, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Watertown, WI?
About 167 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Watertown, WI?
Watertown, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.