Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Typical last spring frost April 19 (1 spring in 10 later than May 2). Typical first fall frost October 29 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 15). Growing season about 192 days.

Or use your browser's Print command.

Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 6 and fades out by May 2. It is unlikely from then until October 15, and likely again after November 10. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 19 and October 29.

January

Nothing to start this month.

February

  • February 1 to March 1: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • February 15 to March 15: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 1 to 22: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • March 8 to 22: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 15 to 29: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 22 to April 5: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 22 to April 5: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)

April

  • April 5 to 19: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 5 to 19: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 19: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 3: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • May 3: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

June

  • June 3 to 17: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)
  • June 23 to July 7: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

Nothing to start this month.

August

  • August 2: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 6: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 7: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 11: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 12: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 16: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 26: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 5: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 15: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 15: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 15 to 22: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Milwaukee Mitchell Airport (station USW00014839), 8 miles from the center of Milwaukee. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/wisconsin/milwaukee/

Back to frost dates for Milwaukee