Frost Dates for Elkhorn, WI 53121
Last spring frost May 7 · First fall frost October 6 · 152 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 53121 has about 18,600 people.
Moderate season: 152 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 19–May 25 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 17 (22 days).
Frost probability for 53121
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 25 | May 7 | April 19 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 6 | October 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BURLINGTON WWTP (23.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 152-day season in Elkhorn
In Elkhorn (152 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 2 | May 21–May 28 | 110 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 110 available after May 21. | Jun 6 |
| Pepper | Mar 26 | May 21–May 28 | 110 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 110 available after May 21. | Jun 11 |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 16. | Aug 4 |
| Cucumber | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 21. | Jul 10 |
| Beans | — | May 14–May 28 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Peas | — | Mar 12–May 21 | 215 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 12. | Jul 26 |
| Zucchini | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Onion | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 12–Apr 30 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Kale | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 9. | Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 9. | Aug 4 |
| Radish | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 13. | Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 6 | 257 | overwinter: Plant Oct 6 to Oct 27; harvest the following summer. | Oct 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 2–May 28 | 208 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 2; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 14. | Jun 18 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 23 | May 21–May 21 | 117 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 117 available after May 21. | May 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 14 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 30. | Jul 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 9. | Jul 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 117 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 117 available after May 21. | May 24 |
| Eggplant | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 110 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 110 available after May 21. | Jun 16 |
| Okra | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Basil | Apr 2 | May 28–May 28 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after May 28. | Jul 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 9–Apr 30 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Parsley | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after May 14. | Jul 21 |
| Celery | Feb 26 | May 14–May 28 | 152 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 152 available after May 14. | Jun 1 |
| Scallions | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Collards | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 110 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 110 available after May 21. | Jun 1 |
| Chives | Feb 12 | May 14–May 21 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after May 14. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Oregano | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after May 14. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 12 | May 14–May 21 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after May 14. | — |
| Sage | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after May 14. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after May 14. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Cosmos | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
| Lavender | Feb 12 | May 7–May 21 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 7. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 26 | May 7–May 14 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Melons | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 110 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 110 available after May 21. | Jun 1 |
| Mint | — | May 7–May 21 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 7. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 14–May 28 | 131 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 131 available after May 14. | Jul 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 117 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 117 available after May 21. | Jun 3 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 7–May 21 | 138 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 138 available after May 7. | Jun 30 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 117 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 14. | Jun 11 |
| Watermelon | Apr 23 | May 14–May 21 | 117 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 117 available after May 14. | Jun 6 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Zinnias | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
Month by month in Elkhorn
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 12), Lavender (Feb 12), Onion (Feb 12), Rosemary (Feb 12), Celery (Feb 26), Collards (Feb 26), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), Sage (Mar 12), Swiss Chard (Mar 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 12), Beets (Mar 12), Dill (Mar 12), Peas (Mar 12), Radish (Mar 12), Spinach (Mar 12), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 2), Tomato (Apr 2), Bok Choy (Apr 9), Corn (Apr 9), Cosmos (Apr 9), Nasturtiums (Apr 9), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 9), Turnip (Apr 9), Carrots (Apr 16), Potatoes (Apr 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 9), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 9), Cabbage (Apr 9), Collards (Apr 9), Kale (Apr 9), Lettuce (Apr 9), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 2). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 7), Beans (May 14), Pole Beans (May 14). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 7), Lavender (May 7), Marigolds (May 7), Mint (May 7), Nasturtiums (May 7), Zinnias (May 7), +23 more. Last frost around May 7. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 24), Pumpkin (May 24). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 1), Celery (Jun 1), Melons (Jun 1), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 3), Tomato (Jun 6), Watermelon (Jun 6), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 5), Pole Beans (Jul 5), Basil (Jul 10), Cosmos (Jul 10), Cucumber (Jul 10), Zinnias (Jul 10), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 4), Carrots (Aug 4), Beets (Aug 5), Dill (Aug 5), Swiss Chard (Aug 5), Calendula (Aug 10), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 3), Spinach (Sep 3), Radish (Sep 4). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 6). First frost around October 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 27). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Elkhorn, WI (ZIP 53121)?
The median last spring frost date for Elkhorn, WI (ZIP code 53121) is around May 7. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 19; one in ten it runs past May 25.
What is the first fall frost date in Elkhorn, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Elkhorn, WI is around October 6. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Elkhorn, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Elkhorn is about 152 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Elkhorn (152 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Elkhorn, WI?
Elkhorn, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Elkhorn, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 2 and plant out May 21 in Elkhorn. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Elkhorn?
Two: plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13.
When do I plant garlic in Elkhorn?
Oct 6 to Oct 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
East Troy (ZIP 53120) has 163 frost-free days, 11 more than Elkhorn (ZIP 53121). See East Troy ZIP 53120 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Delavan, WI 53115 (8.1 mi)
- Frost dates for East Troy, WI 53120 (8.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Lake Geneva, WI 53147 (10.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Whitewater, WI 53190 (12.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Burlington, WI 53105 (13.1 mi)
- When to plant in WI
- When to plant Peppers in WI
- When to plant Cucumbers in WI
- When to plant Zucchini in WI
- When to plant Butternut Squash in WI
- When to plant Basil in WI
- When to plant Sweet Corn in WI
- Look up another ZIP