Frost dates for 53403Racine, WI
The average last spring frost in Racine is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 184 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 184 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 20 · May 4 · May 21 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 184 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 9 · Apr 23 | Oct 19 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Racine
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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53403 is matched to the NOAA station Racine, WI, 1.3 km away, at 595 ft elevation (38 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racine, WI (used) | 595 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 24 |
| Racine Batten Ap, WI | 674 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
| Kenosha, WI | 600 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
| Kenosha Rgnl Ap, WI | 743 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Racine
- Racine, WI 53405 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
- Sturtevant, WI 53177 · last May 5, first Oct 8
- Somers, WI 53171 · last Apr 28, first Oct 19
- Kenosha, WI 53140 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Caledonia, WI 53108 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
- Franksville, WI 53126 · last May 5, first Oct 8
- Union Grove, WI 53182 · last May 5, first Oct 8
- Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 · last Apr 28, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Racine, WI?
- For ZIP code 53403, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Racine, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Racine, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 53403?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 184 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.