Frost Dates for Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Last spring frost May 7 · First fall frost October 8 · 154 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 54235 has about 17,700 people.
Moderate season: 154 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 26–May 20 (24 days). Fall frost risk spans September 22–October 22 (30 days).
Frost probability for 54235
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 20 | May 7 | April 26 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 22 | October 8 | October 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MARINETTE (34.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 154-day season in Sturgeon Bay
In Sturgeon Bay (154 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 | 112 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21. | Jun 8 |
| Pepper | Mar 26 | May 21–May 28 | 112 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21. | Jun 13 |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 196 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 16. | Aug 6 |
| Cucumber | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 126 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 21. | Jul 12 |
| Beans | — | May 14–May 28 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Peas | — | Mar 12–May 21 | 217 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 12. | Jul 28 |
| Zucchini | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 126 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Onion | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 189 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 12–Apr 30 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Kale | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9. | Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 9. | Aug 6 |
| Radish | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15. | Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 8 | 259 | overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer. | Oct 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 2–May 28 | 210 | 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 | 126 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 14. | Jun 20 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 23 | May 21–May 21 | 119 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 119 available after May 21. | May 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 14 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 30. | Jul 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 9. | Jul 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 119 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 119 available after May 21. | May 26 |
| Eggplant | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 112 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21. | Jun 18 |
| Okra | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Basil | Apr 2 | May 28–May 28 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 28. | Jul 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 9–Apr 30 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Parsley | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 154 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after May 14. | Jul 23 |
| Celery | Feb 26 | May 14–May 28 | 154 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 154 available after May 14. | Jun 3 |
| Scallions | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Collards | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 112 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21. | Jun 3 |
| Chives | Feb 12 | May 14–May 21 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Oregano | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 12 | May 14–May 21 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after May 14. | — |
| Sage | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after May 14. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Cosmos | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Lavender | Feb 12 | May 7–May 21 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 7. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 26 | May 7–May 14 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Melons | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 112 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 112 available after May 21. | Jun 3 |
| Mint | — | May 7–May 21 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 7. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 14–May 28 | 133 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 133 available after May 14. | Jul 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 119 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 119 available after May 21. | Jun 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 7–May 21 | 140 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 140 available after May 7. | Jul 2 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 119 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 119 available after May 14. | Jun 13 |
| Watermelon | Apr 23 | May 14–May 21 | 119 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 119 available after May 14. | Jun 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 126 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Zinnias | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
Month by month in Sturgeon Bay
| 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 26), Pumpkin (May 26). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Celery (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 5), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29). |
| 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 Sturgeon Bay, WI (ZIP 54235)?
The median last spring frost date for Sturgeon Bay, WI (ZIP code 54235) 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 26; one in ten it runs past May 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Sturgeon Bay, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Sturgeon Bay, WI is around October 8. 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 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Sturgeon Bay, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Sturgeon Bay is about 154 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 Sturgeon Bay (154 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 Sturgeon Bay, WI?
Sturgeon Bay, 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 Sturgeon Bay, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 2 and plant out May 21 in Sturgeon Bay. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Sturgeon Bay?
Two: plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.
When do I plant garlic in Sturgeon Bay?
Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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