§ When to plant · Wisconsin · Checked Sept 2026
In Milwaukee, tender crops like tomatoes and peppers can go out around May 10, and frost has historically passed 9 years in 10 by May 24. Cool-season crops go in from February.
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§ 010 · Frost dates
Based on NOAA's 1991–2020 station records, with adjustments for tender crops.
| City · NOAA station | Last frost, on average | Plant tender crops from | Frost is over, 9 of 10 years by | Fall frost possible from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AppletonAPPLETON · 4 km | May 4 | May 17May 17 | May 29 | Sep 23 |
| BrookfieldBROOKFIELD WWTP · 5 km | Apr 30 | May 15May 15 | May 29 | Sep 28 |
| Eau ClaireEAU CLAIRE 3SW · 4 km | Apr 24 | May 6May 6 | May 17 | Sep 26 |
| Fond du LacFOND DU LAC 2 SOUTHWEST · 2 km | Apr 27 | May 9May 9 | May 21 | Oct 2 |
| Green BayGREEN BAY BOTANICAL · 9 km | May 7 | May 19May 19 | May 31 | Sep 23 |
| JanesvilleAFTON - JANESVILLE WWTP · 7 km | Apr 26 | May 10May 10 | May 23 | Oct 1 |
| KenoshaKENOSHA REGIONAL AIRPORT · 5 km | Apr 28 | May 12May 12 | May 26 | Oct 1 |
| La CrosseLA CROSSE WFO · 3 km | Apr 27 | May 10May 10 | May 22 | Sep 28 |
| MadisonUW ARBORETUM - MADISON · 5 km | May 1 | May 16May 16 | May 30 | Sep 26 |
| Menomonee FallsGERMANTOWN · 9 km | May 6 | May 20May 20 | Jun 3 | Sep 26 |
| MilwaukeeMT MARY COLLEGE · 5 km | Apr 26 | May 10May 10 | May 24 | Oct 2 |
| New BerlinHALES CORNERS/WHITNALL PARK/BO · 9 km | May 3 | May 16May 16 | May 29 | Sep 30 |
| OshkoshOSHKOSH · 0 km | Apr 24 | May 7May 7 | May 19 | Oct 4 |
| RacineRACINE · 3 km | Apr 20 | May 6May 6 | May 21 | Oct 8 |
| SheboyganSHEBOYGAN · 2 km | Apr 25 | May 8May 8 | May 21 | Oct 9 |
| Sun PrairieMADISON DANE REGIONAL AIRPORT · 10 km | May 1 | May 15May 15 | May 29 | Sep 26 |
| WaukeshaWAUKESHA WWTP · 0 km | May 1 | May 15May 15 | May 29 | Sep 29 |
| WausauWAUSAU DWTN AIRPORT · 4 km | May 6 | May 19May 19 | May 31 | Sep 21 |
| WauwatosaMT MARY COLLEGE · 1 km | Apr 26 | May 10May 10 | May 24 | Oct 2 |
| West AllisWEST ALLIS · 2 km | Apr 26 | May 10May 10 | May 23 | Oct 7 |
Wisconsin's 20 largest cities (U.S. Census Bureau 2025 estimates), A to Z, each with its nearest NOAA station and the distance to it. Search any town to get its nearest station. "Plant tender crops from" is halfway between the average last frost and the date frost is over 9 years in 10; if frost is in the forecast after it, wait until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
§ 020 · What to plant
Planting windows from Wisconsin's Cooperative Extension Service. Filter by season or crop group; every view has its own link.
Link to this view getezina.com/when-to-plant/wisconsin/
§ 030 · Crop by crop
Each crop has its own link, like #tomatoes. Tender crops wait for the frost dates above; succession crops are sown again every few weeks for a steady harvest.
Asparagus officinalis
Perennial
Plant April.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Beta vulgaris
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Sow April.
Ready in about 58 days; sow again every 6 weeks.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Start seed indoors March; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 95 days from seed, 65 from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Sow May.
Ready in about 130 days from seed, 100 from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Start seed indoors March; Sow May; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 110 days from seed, 80 from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Cucumis melo
Tender
Start seed indoors May; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 80 days from seed, 70 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Daucus carota
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Sow April.
Ready in about 70 days; sow again every 7 weeks.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Start seed indoors March; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 95 days from seed, 68 from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Apium graveolens
Cool season
Start seed indoors March; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 110 days from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Apium graveolens
Cool season
Start seed indoors March; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 90 days from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica rapa
Cool season
Sow June.
Ready in about 75 days from seed, 60 from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Sow June.
Ready in about 65 days from seed, 55 from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Cucumis sativus
TenderSuccession sow
Sow June.
Ready in about 58 days from seed, 50 from transplants; sow again every 7 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Solanum melongena
Tender
Start seed indoors March; Set out transplants June.
Ready in about 75 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Cichorium endivia
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Sow June.
Ready in about 90 days from seed, 70 from transplants; sow again every 8 weeks.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Phaseolus vulgaris
TenderSuccession sow
Sow May.
Ready in about 55 days; sow again every 5 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Sow June.
Ready in about 60 days from seed, 45 from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Sow April.
Ready in about 55 days from seed, 45 from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Lactuca sativa
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Start seed indoors March; Sow April; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 65 days from seed, 50 from transplants; sow again every 6 weeks.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Phaseolus lunatus
Tender
Sow May.
Ready in about 75 days. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica juncea
Cool season
Sow April.
Ready in about 45 days.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Abelmoschus esculentus
Tender
Start seed indoors April; Set out transplants June.
Ready in about 55 days from seed, 45 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Allium cepa
Cool season
Start seed indoors February; Plant April; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 110 days from seed, 95 from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Petroselinum crispum
Cool season
Start seed indoors March; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 78 days from seed, 50 from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Pastinaca sativa
Cool season
Sow April.
Ready in about 120 days.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Pisum sativum
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Sow April.
Ready in about 65 days; sow again every 5 weeks.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Capsicum annuum
Tender
Start seed indoors April; Set out transplants June.
Ready in about 70 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Solanum tuberosum
Cool season
Plant April.
Ready in about 100 days.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Cucurbita pepo
Tender
Sow May; Start seed indoors May; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 110 days from seed, 95 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Raphanus sativus
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Sow April.
Ready in about 28 days; sow again every 3 weeks.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Rheum rhabarbarum
Perennial
Plant April.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica napus
Cool season
Sow June.
Ready in about 95 days.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Tragopogon porrifolius
Cool season
Sow April.
Ready in about 120 days.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Spinacia oleracea
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Sow April.
Ready in about 42 days; sow again every 5 weeks.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Cucurbita pepo
TenderSuccession sow
Sow May.
Ready in about 50 days from seed, 40 from transplants; sow again every 7 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Zea mays
TenderSuccession sow
Sow May.
Ready in about 78 days; sow again every 6 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Beta vulgaris
Cool season
Sow April.
Ready in about 55 days from seed, 40 from transplants.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Solanum lycopersicum
Tender
Start seed indoors April; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 75 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica rapa
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Sow April.
Ready in about 50 days; sow again every 5 weeks.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Citrullus lanatus
Tender
Sow May.
Ready in about 85 days from seed, 75 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Cucurbita moschata
Tender
Start seed indoors May; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 95 days from seed, 80 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension (Cooperative Extension Publishing), Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guide for Wisconsin Gardens. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
§ 040 · Questions
On average from about April 20 in Racine to May 7 in Green Bay. Frost is over 9 years in 10 by May 17 to June 3.
The extension service lists April to May. Tomatoes are frost-tender, so Ezina dates them from about May 10 in Milwaukee. If frost is in the forecast, wait until it passes.
A zone is the coldest winter night, not a frost date. These dates come from NOAA station records and the extension service.
Yes. Run Ezina Dig on your address and your bed plans are dated from that site's own frost records, on iPhone and Android in the contiguous U.S.