Frost dates for 54221 — Manitowoc, WI
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season177 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Manitowoc compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Manitowoc falls between April 14 and May 10, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 8 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 177-day growing season is longer than 92% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 140 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Green Bay, WI, 53 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 15 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 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 Manitowoc, WI
Frost dates for 54221 — Manitowoc, WI — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 21, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Manitowoc, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Two Rivers, WI weather station, 3 km away (elevation 591 ft (180 m)).
ZIP codes in Manitowoc: 54220 54221
Frost dates near Manitowoc
- Two Rivers Apr 27 · Oct 21
- Francis Creek Apr 27 · Oct 21
- Mishicot Apr 27 · Oct 21
- Whitelaw Apr 30 · Oct 20
- Kellnersville May 6 · Oct 12
- Tisch Mills May 6 · Oct 12
- Newton Apr 30 · Oct 20
- Maribel May 6 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Manitowoc, WI?
The median last spring frost in Manitowoc, WI is April 27. 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 Manitowoc, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Manitowoc, WI?
About 177 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Manitowoc, WI?
Manitowoc, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.