Frost dates for Milwaukee, Wisconsin
In a typical year, Milwaukee’s last spring frost lands around Apr 26 and the first fall frost around Oct 22, a growing season of about 179 days. These are odds drawn from 30-year NOAA climate normals, not a promise. USDA zone 6a.
| Odds | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | Apr 12 | Oct 7 |
| 50 percent | Apr 26 | Oct 22 |
| 90 percent | May 12 | Nov 3 |
A 10 percent year is an early year, a 90 percent year a late one. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the 90 percent side of the last-frost band.
Soil in Milwaukee is typically around 72°F at 4 inches this time of year, estimated from the last two weeks of normal air temperatures.
Plantable now in Milwaukee
- Spinach (Space)
- Arugula (Astro)
- Mustard greens (Red Giant)
- Tatsoi (Tatsoi)
- Dill (Bouquet)
- Turnip (Purple Top White Globe)
- Cilantro (Santo)
- Sweet alyssum (Snow Crystals)
Timing comes from the same temperature engine the app uses, run against Milwaukee’s normals for today.
Nearby cities
- Kenosha, WI (around Apr 19 to Oct 26)
- Madison, WI (around May 1 to Oct 9)
- Rockford, IL (around Apr 24 to Oct 17)
- Chicago, IL (around Apr 10 to Nov 5)
- Naperville, IL (around Apr 28 to Oct 16)
Row & Bed is a plant reference built around your garden: your zone, your frost dates, your forecast, and a cited page for every variety in your beds.
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