Frost dates for 53205Milwaukee, WI
The average last spring frost in Milwaukee is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 24 · May 8 · May 24 | Sep 25 · Oct 6 · Oct 22 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 12 | Oct 2 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 13 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milwaukee
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53205 is matched to the NOAA station Mt Mary College, WI, 7.9 km away, at 715 ft elevation (32 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Mary College, WI (used) | 715 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 18 |
| West Allis, WI | 723 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 22 |
| Milwaukee Mitchell Ap, WI | 670 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 29 |
| Hales Corners/Whitnall Park/Bo, WI | 774 ft | May 3 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Milwaukee
- Milwaukee, WI 53233 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Saint Francis, WI 53235 · last Apr 19, first Oct 29
- Elm Grove, WI 53122 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Butler, WI 53007 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Cudahy, WI 53110 · last Apr 19, first Oct 29
- Brookfield, WI 53005 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Greendale, WI 53129 · last Apr 19, first Oct 29
- New Berlin, WI 53151 · last May 1, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milwaukee, WI?
- For ZIP code 53205, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mt Mary College, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Milwaukee, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 53205?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.