Frost Dates for Milwaukee, WI 53217
Milwaukee has 29 ZIP codes. The Milwaukee, WI frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 25 · First fall frost October 19 · 177 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 53217 has about 30,000 people, one of 29 ZIP codes in Milwaukee.
Moderate season: 177 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 10–May 10 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–November 5 (35 days).
Frost probability for 53217
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 10 | April 25 | April 10 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 19 | November 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MILWAUKEE MITCHELL AP (22.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 177-day season in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee (177 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 21 | May 9–May 16 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | Jun 19 |
| Pepper | Mar 14 | May 9–May 16 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | Jun 24 |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 4. | Aug 17 |
| Cucumber | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Beans | — | May 2–May 16 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Peas | — | Feb 28–May 9 | 240 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 240 available after Feb 28. | Aug 8 |
| Zucchini | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Onion | Jan 31 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 28–Apr 18 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Kale | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 212 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 28. | Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 28. | Aug 17 |
| Radish | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 19 | 282 | overwinter: Plant Oct 19 to Nov 9; harvest the following summer. | Nov 9 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 21–May 16 | 233 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after May 2. | Jul 1 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 11 | May 9–May 9 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 9. | Jun 6 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 | Apr 18–May 2 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 18. | Jul 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 28. | Jul 18 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 9. | Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 135 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | Jun 29 |
| Okra | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Basil | Mar 21 | May 16–May 16 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 28–Apr 18 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Parsley | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after May 2. | Aug 3 |
| Celery | Feb 14 | May 2–May 16 | 177 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 177 available after May 2. | Jun 14 |
| Scallions | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Collards | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | Jun 14 |
| Chives | Jan 31 | May 2–May 9 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Oregano | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after May 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 31 | May 2–May 9 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after May 2. | — |
| Sage | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after May 2. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 2. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Cosmos | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Lavender | Jan 31 | Apr 25–May 9 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 2 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Melons | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | Jun 14 |
| Mint | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 2–May 16 | 156 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 156 available after May 2. | Jul 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 9. | Jun 16 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 25. | Jul 13 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 2. | Jun 24 |
| Watermelon | Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 2. | Jun 19 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Zinnias | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
Month by month in Milwaukee
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 31), Lavender (Jan 31), Onion (Jan 31), Rosemary (Jan 31). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 14), Collards (Feb 14), Kale (Feb 14), Oregano (Feb 14), Parsley (Feb 14), Scallions (Feb 14), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 28), Beets (Feb 28), Dill (Feb 28), Peas (Feb 28), Radish (Feb 28), Spinach (Feb 28). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 7), Calendula (Mar 14), Cauliflower (Mar 14), Marigolds (Mar 14), Pepper (Mar 14), Basil (Mar 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 14), Cilantro (Mar 28), Turnip (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 28), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 28), Cabbage (Mar 28), Collards (Mar 28), Kale (Mar 28), Lettuce (Mar 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 21). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 4), Butternut Squash (Apr 11), Cantaloupe (Apr 11), Melons (Apr 11), Pumpkin (Apr 11), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 11), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 4), Potatoes (Apr 11), Sunflowers (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 11), Swiss Chard (Apr 11), Bok Choy (Apr 18), Cauliflower (Apr 18), Cosmos (Apr 25), Lavender (Apr 25), +4 more. Last frost around April 25. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 2), Pole Beans (May 2). Transplant from: Celery (May 2), Chives (May 2), Corn (May 2), Okra (May 2), Oregano (May 2), Parsley (May 2), +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 Milwaukee, WI (ZIP 53217)?
The median last spring frost date for Milwaukee, WI (ZIP code 53217) is around April 25. 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 10; one in ten it runs past May 10.
What is the first fall frost date in Milwaukee, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Milwaukee, 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 October 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Milwaukee, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Milwaukee is about 177 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 Milwaukee (177 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 Milwaukee, WI?
Milwaukee, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (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 Milwaukee, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 21 and plant out May 9 in Milwaukee. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Milwaukee?
Two: plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26.
When do I plant garlic in Milwaukee?
Oct 19 to Nov 9; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
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