Oak Creek, WI planting zone & frost dates
Oak Creek is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 22 and the first fall frost around October 26, for a growing season of about 184 days.
Planting calendar for Oak Creek
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 22) 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: Feb 25 – Mar 11 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 31 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 26).
Useful for zone 6a 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 9 | Apr 22 | May 8 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 8 | Oct 26 | Oct 10 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 8, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 9.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Oak Creek
- 53154 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- South Milwaukee zone 6a, last frost Apr 22
- Cudahy zone 6a, last frost Apr 19
- Caledonia zone 5b, last frost Apr 24
- Greendale zone 5b, last frost May 3
- Milwaukee zone 6a, last frost Apr 26
- Greenfield zone 5b, last frost May 3
- Franklin zone 5b, last frost May 3
- Racine zone 6a, last frost Apr 20
Questions
What growing zone is Oak Creek, WI?
Oak Creek is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Oak Creek?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Oak Creek is April 22. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 8.
When can I plant tomatoes in Oak Creek?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 29 – May 6. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station South Milwaukee Wwtp, WI (USC00477964), 2.0 km (1.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 198 m, based on 14 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.