Frost dates for 53220 — Milwaukee, WI
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season164 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Milwaukee compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Milwaukee falls between April 18 and May 19, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 164-day growing season is longer than 72% 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 159 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 18 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Milwaukee, WI
Frost dates for 53220 — Milwaukee, WI — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 14, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Milwaukee, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
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 Hales Corners/Whitnall Park/Bo, WI weather station, 4 km away (elevation 774 ft (236 m)).
ZIP codes in Milwaukee: 53201 53202 53203 53204 53205 53206 53207 53208 53209 53210 53211 53212 53213 53214 53215 53216 53217 53218 53219 53220 53221 53222 53223 53224 53225 53226 53227 53228 53233 53234 53237 53259 53263 53267 53268 53274 53278 53288 53290 53293 53295
Frost dates near Milwaukee
- Greendale May 3 · Oct 14
- Hales Corners May 3 · Oct 14
- Franklin May 3 · Oct 14
- Saint Francis Apr 19 · Oct 29
- Oak Creek Apr 22 · Oct 26
- Cudahy Apr 19 · Oct 29
- New Berlin May 3 · Oct 14
- South Milwaukee Apr 22 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Milwaukee, WI?
The median last spring frost in Milwaukee, WI is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Milwaukee, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Milwaukee, WI?
About 164 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Milwaukee, WI?
Milwaukee, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.