Frost dates for 53717Madison, WI
The average last spring frost in Madison is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 25 · May 7 · May 22 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Sep 29 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 17 · May 1 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 190 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Madison
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53717 is matched to the NOAA station Charmany Farm, WI, 2.6 km away, at 1,046 ft elevation (19 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charmany Farm, WI (used) | 1,046 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 15 |
| Uw Arboretum - Madison, WI | 870 ft | May 1 | Oct 9 |
| Madison Dane Rgnl Ap, WI | 866 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| Mazomanie Wwtp, WI | 764 ft | May 7 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Madison
- Middleton, WI 53562 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Madison, WI 53705 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Verona, WI 53593 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Cross Plains, WI 53528 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Waunakee, WI 53597 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Mc Farland, WI 53558 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Dane, WI 53529 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Oregon, WI 53575 · last May 1, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Madison, WI?
- For ZIP code 53717, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Charmany Farm, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Madison, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 53717?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.