Frost dates for 53143Kenosha, WI
The average last spring frost in Kenosha is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 16 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 8 · Apr 21 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 20 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kenosha
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53143 is matched to the NOAA station Kenosha, WI, 1.2 km away, at 600 ft elevation (20 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WI (used) | 600 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
| Kenosha Rgnl Ap, WI | 743 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 19 |
| Racine, WI | 595 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 24 |
| Chicago Waukegan Rgnl Ap, IL | 727 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Kenosha
- Kenosha, WI 53141 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 · last Apr 28, first Oct 19
- Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Russell, IL 60075 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Somers, WI 53171 · last Apr 28, first Oct 19
- Zion, IL 60099 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Woodworth, WI 53194 · last Apr 28, first Oct 19
- Wadsworth, IL 60083 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kenosha, WI?
- For ZIP code 53143, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kenosha, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Kenosha, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 53143?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.