Frost dates for 53704 — Madison, WI
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season162 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Madison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madison falls between April 16 and May 16, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 26 and October 24.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 162-day growing season is longer than 67% 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 147 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Milwaukee, WI, 114 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 17 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 26 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | October 24 |
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 Madison, WI
Frost dates for 53704 — Madison, WI — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 10, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Madison, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
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 Madison Dane Rgnl Ap, WI weather station, 2 km away (elevation 866 ft (264 m)).
ZIP codes in Madison: 53701 53702 53703 53704 53705 53706 53707 53708 53711 53713 53714 53715 53716 53717 53718 53719 53725 53726 53744 53774 53777 53778 53779 53782 53783 53784 53785 53786 53788 53789 53790 53791 53792 53793 53794
Frost dates near Madison
- Windsor May 1 · Oct 10
- Waunakee May 1 · Oct 10
- Sun Prairie May 1 · Oct 10
- Middleton Apr 28 · Oct 15
- Mc Farland May 1 · Oct 9
- Cottage Grove May 1 · Oct 10
- Deforest May 4 · Oct 6
- Morrisonville May 4 · Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madison, WI?
The median last spring frost in Madison, WI is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Madison, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 26.
How long is the growing season in Madison, WI?
About 162 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Madison, WI?
Madison, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.