Madison, WI planting zone & frost dates

Madison is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. The last spring frost usually comes around May 1 and the first fall frost around October 9, for a growing season of about 161 days.

USDA hardiness zone5aavg. extreme winter low -20°F to -15°F

Average last spring frostMay 190% chance of no frost after May 17

Average first fall frostOctober 910% chance of frost by September 26

Growing season161 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Madison

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 1) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 Transplant outdoors: May 15 – May 22
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 Transplant outdoors: May 15 – May 22
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 Transplant outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 17
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Feb 20 – Mar 6 Transplant outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 17
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 17
Peas	Sow outdoors: Mar 20 – Apr 3
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Mar 20 – Apr 3
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 17
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 17
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 17
Beans	Sow outdoors: May 8 – May 15
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: May 8 – May 15
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: May 8 – May 15
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: May 8 – May 15
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Mar 20 – Apr 3 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 14 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 9).

Useful for zone 5a gardens

Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season

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Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Apr 18	May 1	May 17
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Oct 24	Oct 9	Sep 26

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 17, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 26. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 20.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Madison

53701 zone 5b
53702 zone 5b
53703 zone 5b
53704 zone 5b
53705 zone 5b
53706 zone 5a
53707 zone 5b
53708 zone 5b
53711 zone 5b
53713 zone 5a
53714 zone 5b
53715 zone 5a
53716 zone 5b
53717 zone 5b
53718 zone 5b
53719 zone 5b
53725 zone 5a
53726 zone 5b
53744 zone 5b
53774 zone 5a
53777 zone 5b
53782 zone 5b
53783 zone 5b
53784 zone 5b
53785 zone 5b
53786 zone 5b
53788 zone 5b
53790 zone 5b
53791 zone 5b
53792 zone 5a
53793 zone 5b
53794 zone 5b

Nearby cities

Middleton zone 5b, last frost Apr 28
Waunakee zone 5a, last frost May 1
Fitchburg zone 5b, last frost May 1
Oregon zone 5a, last frost May 1
Verona zone 5a, last frost Apr 28
Sun Prairie zone 5a, last frost May 1
Stoughton zone 5b, last frost Apr 30
Portage zone 5a, last frost Apr 28

All cities in Wisconsin → · Other zone 5a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Madison, WI?

Madison is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a (average extreme winter low -20°F to -15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 5b.

When is the last frost in Madison?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Madison is May 1. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 17.

When can I plant tomatoes in Madison?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 8 – May 15. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Uw Arboretum - Madison, WI (USC00470273), 4.2 km (2.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 265 m, based on 27 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.