When Is The Last Frost Before Spring Gardening Can Start In WI?

WISCONSIN — Gardeners in Wisconsin who have the itch to start digging in the dirt should hold off a bit longer before scratching it.

The ground in the Milwaukee metro area should be warm enough for planting by April 25, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. The website has a handy tool to find the average date of the last frost by city and state, right down to the ZIP code.

This isn’t a fail-safe date. It’s based on historical climate data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information, and the probability of a frost after the average date is about 30 percent.

Almost anything that grows in the ground can be put in a pot. Vegetables in containers should be placed in sunny locations on decks, balconies and other open-air spaces. The same frost dates apply.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s extended weather forecast for Wisconsin shows a mix of rain and snow at times in April.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which has advised readers how and when to grow things since 1792, also has a 2025 planting guide calculator that allows Wisconsin gardeners to narrow down when they should put different vegetables in the ground.

Cool-season vegetables to plant early (late April to early May):

• Spinach – Cold-hardy and quick to mature. Can be planted as soon as the soil is workable.
• Lettuce – Thrives in cooler temps; try leaf or romaine varieties.
• Peas – Sugar snap or snow peas do well in early spring.
• Radishes – Very fast-growing; some varieties mature in under 30 days.
• Carrots – Can go in early but take longer to mature.
• Kale – Tough and cold-tolerant; great for early planting.
• Broccoli – Start indoors or buy transplants to plant early outside.

Another good resource for gardeners is the University of Wisconsin Extension.

The scientists and specialists experience the same gardening challenges when it comes to weather conditions and pest management and can provide geographically specific advice to plant what food crops.