Wisconsin Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Wisconsin gardeners.

Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b

The Short Answer

Wisconsin spans USDA zones 3b through 5b, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Northern Wisconsin has an average last frost around May 15 - Jun 1, while Southern Wisconsin sees its last frost around Apr 25 - May 10. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Wisconsin Frost Dates by Region

Cold winters. Warm summers. Lake Michigan moderates eastern climate. Good growing season in south. Short season in north.

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Wisconsin	3b, 4a	May 15 - Jun 1	Sep 10 - Sep 25
Central Wisconsin	4a, 4b	May 5 - May 20	Sep 20 - Oct 5
Southern Wisconsin	4b, 5a, 5b	Apr 25 - May 10	Oct 1 - Oct 15

Soil & Growing Conditions

Rich agricultural soils in southern half. Sandy soils in central plain. Heavy clay in some lake regions. Generally fertile.

What to Plant in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's short growing season rewards strategic planning. Cold-hardy crops are your strength, and warm-season crops need indoor starting. These are the best performers for Wisconsin's climate:

Top Picks for Wisconsin

Kale Garlic Potatoes Peas Carrots Lettuce Broccoli Beets Radishes Spinach Beans (Green/Snap)Cabbage Daffodils

Worth the Effort

With indoor starting and season extension, Wisconsin gardeners also grow excellent tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sunflowers. The long summer daylight hours drive faster growth than you'd expect:

Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Squash (Summer)Basil Sunflowers Zinnias Corn (Sweet)

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wyoming

Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026