Frost dates for 53705 — Madison, WI
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season170 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Madison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madison falls between April 14 and May 11, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 170-day growing season is longer than 86% 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 146 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 53705 — Madison, WI — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 15, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
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 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Charmany Farm, WI weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,047 ft (319 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
- Middleton Apr 28 · Oct 15
- Verona Apr 28 · Oct 15
- Waunakee May 1 · Oct 10
- Mc Farland May 1 · Oct 9
- Cross Plains Apr 28 · Oct 15
- Oregon May 1 · Oct 9
- Windsor May 1 · Oct 10
- Dane May 1 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madison, WI?
The median last spring frost in Madison, WI is April 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 11, 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 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Madison, WI?
About 170 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.