Frost dates for 53144 — Kenosha, WI
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Kenosha compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Kenosha falls between April 13 and May 13, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 90% 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 135 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Milwaukee, WI, 50 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 5 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 Kenosha, WI
Frost dates for 53144 — Kenosha, WI — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 19, 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 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
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 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow 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 19Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
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 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Kenosha, 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 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| 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 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| 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 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
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 Kenosha Rgnl Ap, WI weather station, 5 km away (elevation 745 ft (227 m)).
ZIP codes in Kenosha: 53140 53141 53142 53143 53144
Frost dates near Kenosha
- Somers Apr 28 · Oct 19
- Pleasant Prairie Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Sturtevant Apr 20 · Oct 24
- Woodworth Apr 28 · Oct 19
- Racine Apr 20 · Oct 24
- Union Grove May 5 · Oct 8
- Bristol Apr 30 · Oct 15
- Benet Lake Apr 23 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Kenosha, WI?
The median last spring frost in Kenosha, 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 Kenosha, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Kenosha, WI?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Kenosha, WI?
Kenosha, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.