Frost dates for 53233 — Milwaukee, WI
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 22median date
Growing season179 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Milwaukee compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Milwaukee falls between April 12 and May 12, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 179-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 133 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 22 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 53233 — Milwaukee, WI — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 22, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 12
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 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 27 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 8 – Nov 12 |
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 West Allis, WI weather station, 6 km away (elevation 722 ft (220 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
- Saint Francis Apr 19 · Oct 29
- Cudahy Apr 19 · Oct 29
- Elm Grove Apr 26 · Oct 18
- Greendale May 3 · Oct 14
- Butler Apr 26 · Oct 18
- Hales Corners May 3 · Oct 14
- Brookfield Apr 30 · 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 April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 12, 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 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Milwaukee, WI?
About 179 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.