Frost dates for 53791Madison, WI
The average last spring frost in Madison is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 161 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 161 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 29 · May 13 · May 30 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 17 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 161 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 20 · May 3 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 3 | 182 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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53791 is matched to the NOAA station Uw Arboretum - Madison, WI, 3.2 km away, at 870 ft elevation (35 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uw Arboretum - Madison, WI (used) | 870 ft | May 1 | Oct 9 |
| Charmany Farm, WI | 1,046 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 15 |
| Madison Dane Rgnl Ap, WI | 866 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| Stoughton, WI | 840 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Madison
- Madison, WI 53701 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Middleton, WI 53562 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Mc Farland, WI 53558 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Waunakee, WI 53597 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Verona, WI 53593 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Oregon, WI 53575 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Windsor, WI 53598 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Cottage Grove, WI 53527 · last May 1, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Madison, WI?
- For ZIP code 53791, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Uw Arboretum - Madison, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Madison, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 53791?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 161 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.