Frost dates for 53221 — Milwaukee, WI
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 29median date
Growing season193 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Milwaukee compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Milwaukee falls between April 6 and May 2, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 10.
- The median last frost is 16 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 193-day growing season is among the longest of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 10 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 123 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | October 29 |
| 90% (late) | November 10 |
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 53221 — Milwaukee, WI — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 29, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Milwaukee, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Sep 3 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 15 – Nov 19 |
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 Milwaukee Mitchell Ap, WI weather station, 3 km away (elevation 669 ft (204 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
- Saint Francis Apr 19 · Oct 29
- Cudahy Apr 19 · Oct 29
- Franklin May 3 · Oct 14
- Oak Creek Apr 22 · Oct 26
- South Milwaukee Apr 22 · Oct 26
- Hales Corners May 3 · Oct 14
- Caledonia Apr 22 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Milwaukee, WI?
The median last spring frost in Milwaukee, WI is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, 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 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Milwaukee, WI?
About 193 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Milwaukee, WI?
Milwaukee, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.