Frost dates for 53402 — Racine, WI
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season183 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Racine compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Racine falls between April 11 and May 10, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 10 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 183-day growing season is among the longest of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 5 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 126 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kenosha, WI, 22 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 7 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 10 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
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 Racine, WI
Frost dates for 53402 — Racine, WI — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 24, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Racine, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Racine Batten Ap, WI weather station, 2 km away (elevation 673 ft (205 m)).
ZIP codes in Racine: 53401 53402 53403 53404 53405 53406 53407 53408
Frost dates near Racine
- Caledonia Apr 22 · Oct 26
- Sturtevant Apr 20 · Oct 24
- Oak Creek Apr 22 · Oct 26
- Franksville May 5 · Oct 8
- South Milwaukee Apr 22 · Oct 26
- Somers Apr 28 · Oct 19
- Cudahy Apr 19 · Oct 29
- Kenosha Apr 19 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Racine, WI?
The median last spring frost in Racine, WI is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Racine, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 10.
How long is the growing season in Racine, WI?
About 183 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Racine, WI?
Racine, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.