Wisconsin on average has approximately 110 days between the last and first frost. Follow the planting schedules below for when to plant tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables.
Does Wisconsin have a growing season?
On average, your frost-free growing season starts May 2 and ends Oct 6, totalling 157 days. You will find both Spring and Fall planting guides on this page.
When should I start a garden in Wisconsin?
Weather permitting, planting after Memorial Day is generally a safe time to begin planting. It’s almost the beginning of summer, so there’s a lesser chance of having to deal with frost or a cold front. “If you’re planting seeds, they need to stay indoors for six weeks before being outside,” Sindberg said.
What can I plant right now in Wisconsin?
Outdoors you can sow seeds directly into the garden for beets, carrots, chard, kohlrabi, late cabbage, leaf lettuce, mustard, collards, turnips, radish, spinach, onion sets, onion seeds for bunching onions, peas, and potatoes. Purchase and plant trees and shrubs now.
How long is the short growing season?
Many gardeners think of the time period between the last spring frost and the first frost as the growing season. Anything less than 120 days is considered a short season.
What growing zone is Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has three cold hardiness zones – Zone 3 (Northwestern WI), Zone 4 (North, Central, Western WI) and Zone 5 (Southern and eastern WI up past Green Bay and Apostle Islands).
What produce can you grow in Wisconsin?
See which fruits and vegetables grow in Wisconsin.
Local foods by season
- Asparagus.
- Garlic.
- Green onions.
- Herbs.
- Kale.
- Leeks.
When can I plant tomatoes in Wisconsin?
Planting Dates for Spring
| Crop | Based on Frost Dates Based on Moon Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| Start Seeds Indoors | Plant Seedlings or Transplants | |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 26-Apr 9 Apr 1- 9 | Apr 16-23 Apr 16 |
| Thyme | Feb 25-Mar 26 Mar 2-18 | May 7-28 May 7-15 |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11-26 Mar 11-18 | May 14-Jun 4 May 14-15, May 30-Jun 4 |
When should I start seeds in Wisconsin?
It’s best to seed the warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and okra at six to eight weeks before the outdoor transplanting period.
Can you grow broccoli in Wisconsin?
If you live in Wisconsin or any zone 3-5, Broccoli is one of the easiest vegetables to grow if you start on time. A member of the cabbage family, broccoli can be harvested several times during the summer growing season and in the fall growing season.
How late can you plant perennials in Wisconsin?
Perennials can be planted any time during the growing season. In fact, you can plant them right up until the ground freezes. For the best results, though, you should plant them in either the spring or the fall.
What is in season right now near Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
- Apples, July through October.
- Asparagus, May and June.
- Basil, August and September.
- Beets, June through October.
- Bitter melon, August through October.
- Blueberries, July and August.
- Broccoli, June through October.
- Brussels sprouts, September through early December.
What can I plant in late summer in Wisconsin?
Other Highly Recommended Crops:
- Cabbage family: Broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, kohlrabi.
- Cucumber family: Cucumber, pumpkin, summer squash, winter squash.
- Leafy greens: Arugula, chard, mustard (all types), pac choi, sorrel, spinach, turnip.
- Root crops:Beet, parsnip, potato, rutabaga, shallot, turnip.
What states have the longest growing season?
If you like to putter in your garden year-round, the best places to garden in would be those states that don’t experience cold winters. These include the Arizona desert, where even tomatoes have been known to continue ripening in December, Florida, California, parts of Texas and parts of the Deep South.
What states have the shortest growing season?
Growing seasons vary for different regions and different plants. The U.S. state of Alaska has an average growing season of only 105 days.
What time of year do trees stop growing?
As long as the ground temperature is above freezing, tree roots can and do continue to grow. As soil temperature moves closer to 36°, roots grow less. Then, once it’s freezing, growth pauses and resumes as soil warms. Overall, it’s safe to say your tree roots do grow a bit during winter.
What zone is Milwaukee Wisconsin?
zone 5b
While Milwaukee is located in zone 5, most of the city lies in zone 5b. The USDA’s map divides the nation into thirteen main zones and has been updated through the years as new weather data indicated climate change.
What zone is Madison WI?
Madison, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a.
What gardening zone is Milwaukee WI?
zone 5b
Milwaukee is firmly within hardiness zone 5b.
What fruit is Wisconsin known for?
Cranberries
Cranberries; the official state fruit of Wisconsin and Massachusetts.
Can you grow watermelon in Wisconsin?
Here in Wisconsin, where the growing season is famously short, certain cultivars thrive. Watermelon requires 100 days from planting to produce mature fruit, and growing conditions need to be right.