Planting calendar for Wisconsin
Short answer
Most of Wisconsin is in climate zone 6, with an average last spring frost around Apr 30 and first fall frost around Oct 10. Plant hardy crops before the last frost, tender crops after. Enter your ZIP for dates tuned to your exact area.
Last spring frost
Apr 30
First fall frost
Oct 10
Climate zone(s)
6, 7
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Mar 26 | May 25 |
| Spinach | — | Mar 26 | May 10 |
| Radishes | — | Apr 2 | Apr 30 |
| Kale | Mar 26 | Apr 2 | May 27 |
| Onions | Feb 19 | Apr 2 | Jul 11 |
| Lettuce | Apr 2 | Apr 9 | May 29 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 9 | Jun 18 |
| Beets | — | Apr 9 | Jun 3 |
| Strawberries | — | Apr 9 | Jul 8 |
| Blueberries | — | Apr 9 | Year 2–3 |
| Broccoli | Mar 19 | Apr 16 | Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 19 | Apr 16 | Jun 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 16 | Jul 15 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 16 | May 31 |
| Blackberries | — | Apr 16 | Year 2–3 |
| Nasturtiums | — | Apr 30 | Jun 24 |
| Zucchini / squash | Apr 9 | May 7 | Jun 26 |
| Green beans | — | May 7 | Jul 1 |
| Sweet corn | — | May 7 | Jul 21 |
| Coleus | Feb 19 | May 7 | Jul 6 |
| Marigolds | Mar 12 | May 7 | Jun 26 |
| Zinnias | Mar 26 | May 7 | Jul 11 |
| Morning glories | Apr 2 | May 7 | Jul 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 7 | Jul 26 |
| Tomatoes | Mar 19 | May 14 | Jul 28 |
| Peppers | Mar 5 | May 14 | Aug 2 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 9 | May 14 | Jul 8 |
| Pumpkins | Apr 16 | May 14 | Sep 1 |
| Basil | Mar 19 | May 14 | Jul 13 |
| Peonies | — | Aug 29 | Year 2–3 |
| Garlic | — | Sep 19 | May 17 (next yr) |
| Tulips | — | Oct 17 | Apr 15 (next yr) |
Dates use zone 6 (most of Wisconsin); colder areas run later. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone.
What sets planting dates in Wisconsin
Planting dates across Wisconsin anchor to two dates. Most of the state sits in climate zone 6, where the average last spring frost lands around Apr 30 and the first fall frost around Oct 10 — a growing season of roughly 163 days. Every crop in the calendar counts forward or backward from those two frosts.
Hardy crops shrug off a light freeze, so they go in weeks before the last frost; tender crops wait until after it, once the soil warms. In Wisconsin's zone 6, that's why peas can go out around Mar 26 while tomatoes wait until about May 14.
Wisconsin isn't a single climate — it spans zones 6, 7, so higher-elevation and northern areas run later than these zone-6 dates. Use this as the state midpoint, then enter your ZIP for frost dates tuned to your exact area.
What sets your dates
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Last spring frost | Tender crops can't go out until it passes — around Apr 30 in Wisconsin's zone 6 |
| First fall frost | Sets the harvest deadline — around Oct 10 — for anything still in the ground |
| Climate zone | Wisconsin spans zones 6, 7; colder (higher-number) areas run later |
| Crop hardiness | Hardy crops plant before the last frost; tender crops wait until after it |
| Indoor head start | Warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) need 6–10 weeks started indoors first |
| Microclimate & elevation | Cold pockets, slopes, and higher ground run later than the state average |
How Wisconsin's season compares
| Reference | Growing season |
|---|---|
| Long season (zone 2) | ~293 days · Feb 15 – Dec 5 |
| Wisconsin (zone 6) | ~163 days · Apr 30 – Oct 10 |
| Short season (zone 8) | ~96 days · Jun 1 – Sep 5 |
Wisconsin planting tips
- Don't rush tender crops out before Wisconsin's last frost (around Apr 30) — a single late freeze can wipe out tomatoes and peppers.
- Start cool-season crops (peas, spinach, lettuce) early; they handle Wisconsin's spring chill and bolt once summer heat arrives.
- Count backward from Apr 30 to time indoor seed-starting — 6–10 weeks for warm crops that need a head start.
- For a fall harvest, work back from the first frost (around Oct 10) using each crop's days-to-harvest so it matures in time.
Your exact area
Open the planting calendarOther states
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wisconsin?
Most of Wisconsin (zone 6) averages its last spring frost around Apr 30 and first fall frost around Oct 10. Colder parts of the state run later in spring.
When should I plant tomatoes in Wisconsin?
Set tomato transplants out around May 14 in most of Wisconsin — a couple of weeks after the last frost. Start seeds indoors about Mar 19.
What is the growing season in Wisconsin?
Roughly Oct 10 minus Apr 30 for zone 6. Cool-season crops extend it on both ends; enter your ZIP for your exact dates.