Frost dates for 53208Milwaukee, 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 53208 is matched to the NOAA station Mt Mary College, WI, 6 km away, at 715 ft elevation (29 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 53205 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Elm Grove, WI 53122 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Butler, WI 53007 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Brookfield, WI 53005 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Saint Francis, WI 53235 · last Apr 19, first Oct 29
- Greendale, WI 53129 · last Apr 19, first Oct 29
- New Berlin, WI 53151 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Cudahy, WI 53110 · last Apr 19, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milwaukee, WI?
- For ZIP code 53208, 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 53208?
- 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.