Frost Dates for Kenosha, WI 53144
Last spring frost April 27 · First fall frost October 19 · 175 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 53144 has about 26,700 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Kenosha.
Moderate season: 175 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 11–May 13 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 30–November 6 (37 days).
Frost probability for 53144
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 13 | April 27 | April 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 30 | October 19 | November 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at KENOSHA WWTP (11.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 175-day season in Kenosha
In Kenosha (175 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 23 | May 11–May 18 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 11. | Jun 19 |
| Pepper | Mar 16 | May 11–May 18 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 11. | Jun 24 |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 6. | Aug 17 |
| Cucumber | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Peas | — | Mar 2–May 11 | 238 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 2. | Aug 8 |
| Zucchini | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Onion | Feb 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 210 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 2–Apr 20 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Kale | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 210 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 30. | Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 30. | Aug 17 |
| Radish | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 19 | 280 | overwinter: Plant Oct 19 to Nov 9; harvest the following summer. | Nov 9 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 23–May 18 | 231 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 4. | Jul 1 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 13 | May 11–May 11 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 11. | Jun 6 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 | Apr 20–May 4 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 20. | Jul 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 224 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 30. | Jul 18 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 11. | Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 133 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 133 available after May 11. | Jun 29 |
| Okra | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Basil | Mar 23 | May 18–May 18 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 30–Apr 20 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Parsley | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after May 4. | Aug 3 |
| Celery | Feb 16 | May 4–May 18 | 175 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 175 available after May 4. | Jun 14 |
| Scallions | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Collards | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 11. | Jun 14 |
| Chives | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after May 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Oregano | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after May 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after May 4. | — |
| Sage | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after May 4. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after May 4. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Cosmos | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Lavender | Feb 2 | Apr 27–May 11 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 16 | Apr 27–May 4 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Melons | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 11. | Jun 14 |
| Mint | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 154 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 154 available after May 4. | Jul 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 140 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 140 available after May 11. | Jun 16 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 27. | Jul 13 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 4. | Jun 24 |
| Watermelon | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 140 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after May 4. | Jun 19 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Zinnias | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
Month by month in Kenosha
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 2), Lavender (Feb 2), Onion (Feb 2), Rosemary (Feb 2), Celery (Feb 16), Collards (Feb 16), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 2), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 2), Cabbage (Mar 2), Lettuce (Mar 2), Sage (Mar 2), Swiss Chard (Mar 2), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 2), Beets (Mar 2), Dill (Mar 2), Peas (Mar 2), Radish (Mar 2), Spinach (Mar 2), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 30), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 30), Cabbage (Mar 30), Collards (Mar 30), Kale (Mar 30), Lettuce (Mar 30), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 23). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 6), Butternut Squash (Apr 13), Cantaloupe (Apr 13), Melons (Apr 13), Pumpkin (Apr 13), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 6), Potatoes (Apr 13), Sunflowers (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 13), Swiss Chard (Apr 13), Bok Choy (Apr 20), Cauliflower (Apr 20), Cosmos (Apr 27), Lavender (Apr 27), +4 more. Last frost around April 27. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 4), Pole Beans (May 4). Transplant from: Celery (May 4), Chives (May 4), Corn (May 4), Okra (May 4), Oregano (May 4), Parsley (May 4), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 6), Pumpkin (Jun 6), Cantaloupe (Jun 14), Celery (Jun 14), Melons (Jun 14), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 16), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 1), Sunflowers (Jul 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 18), Pole Beans (Jul 18), Basil (Jul 23), Cosmos (Jul 23), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 2), Parsley (Aug 3), Peas (Aug 8), Cabbage (Aug 17), Carrots (Aug 17), Beets (Aug 18), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 1), Kohlrabi (Sep 1), Turnip (Sep 6), Arugula (Sep 16), Spinach (Sep 16), Radish (Sep 17). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 19). First frost around October 19. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 9). |
| 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 Kenosha, WI (ZIP 53144)?
The median last spring frost date for Kenosha, WI (ZIP code 53144) is around April 27. 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 11; one in ten it runs past May 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Kenosha, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Kenosha, WI is around October 19. 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 30 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Kenosha, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Kenosha is about 175 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 Kenosha (175 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Kenosha, WI?
Kenosha, 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 Kenosha, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 23 and plant out May 11 in Kenosha. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Kenosha?
Two: plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26.
When do I plant garlic in Kenosha?
Oct 19 to Nov 9; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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