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Milwaukee, Wisconsin · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Milwaukee

This month's sowing list for Milwaukee, what is ready to pick, when to plant the favourites, the planting year at a glance and the local frost dates.

October

1 vegetable to sow or plant now

1 of them are at their best time to start. The last frost is usually around April 28, and frost is unlikely after about May 9.

Sow or plant in Milwaukee in October

Start seeds indoors

Nothing this month.

Direct sow

Nothing this month.

Transplant

  • Garlic

Ready to pick in October

  • Arugula
  • Beets
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Bush beans
  • Cabbage
  • Carrot
  • Cauliflower
  • Celeriac
  • Celery
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Kale
  • Leek
  • Lettuce
  • Parsley
  • Parsnip
  • Peas
  • Pole beans
  • Potato
  • Radish
  • Scallions
  • Strawberry
  • Sweet corn
  • Swiss chard
  • Turnip
  • Winter squash
  • Zucchini

Coming up in November

Nothing new starts in November. This month's list carries on.

When to plant the favourites in Milwaukee

Tomato

Tomatoes

Start seeds indoors: April to May.

Transplant: May to July.

Best time to start: May.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 17 weeks after starting.

Potato

Potatoes

Plant: April to August.

Best time to start: April to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Garlic

Plant: September to November.

Best time to start: September to November.

Pick: June to August.

First pick about 37 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Lettuce

Direct sow: April to September.

Best time to start: April to May and August to September.

Pick: June to December.

First pick about 6 weeks after starting.

Carrot

Carrots

Direct sow: April to August.

Best time to start: April to August.

Pick: July to December.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Bush beans

Direct sow: May to July.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

Onion

Onions

Start seeds indoors: February to April.

Transplant: April to June.

Best time to start: April to June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 20 weeks after starting.

Strawberry

Strawberries

Plant: April to June.

Best time to start: April to June.

Pick: August to December.

First pick about 14 weeks after starting.

Winter squash

Winter squash

Start seeds indoors: May to June.

Direct sow: May to June.

Transplant: May to June.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 14 weeks after starting.

Zucchini

Zucchini

Start seeds indoors: May to July.

Direct sow: May to August.

Transplant: May to August.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Milwaukee

VegetableONDJFMAMJJASFirst pick
ArugulaSSSSSSabout 4 weeks
BasilTSSPabout 7 weeks
BeetsSSSSSabout 6 weeks
Bell pepperTTPPabout 17 weeks
Bok choySSSSSSabout 4 weeks
BroccoliTPPTTPabout 12 weeks
Brussels sproutsTPabout 18 weeks
Bush beansSSSabout 8 weeks
CabbageTPPPPPabout 13 weeks
CantaloupeTSPabout 10 weeks
CarrotSSSSSabout 7 weeks
CauliflowerTPabout 14 weeks
CeleriacTTTPPabout 21 weeks
CeleryTTTPPPPabout 19 weeks
ChivesTTSSSSPabout 7 weeks
CilantroSSabout 5 weeks
CucumberPSSPabout 7 weeks
DillSSSSSabout 5 weeks
EggplantTPabout 18 weeks
GarlicPPPabout 37 weeks
Hot pepperTTPabout 19 weeks
KaleSSSSSPabout 6 weeks
LeekTTPPPPPabout 17 weeks
LettuceSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
OkraSSabout 7 weeks
OnionTTPPPabout 20 weeks
ParsleyTTSSSSPabout 7 weeks
ParsnipSabout 10 weeks
PeasSSSabout 8 weeks
Pole beansSSSabout 9 weeks
PotatoPPPPPabout 9 weeks
RadishSSSSSSabout 3 weeks
Runner beansSSSabout 10 weeks
ScallionsSSSSSabout 6 weeks
SpinachSSSabout 7 weeks
StrawberryPPPabout 14 weeks
Sweet cornSSSabout 10 weeks
Sweet potatoPabout 11 weeks
Swiss chardSSSSSabout 6 weeks
TomatoTPPPabout 17 weeks
TurnipSSSSabout 6 weeks
WatermelonTSabout 11 weeks
Winter squashSSabout 14 weeks
ZucchiniSSSSabout 7 weeks

The chart starts at October. "First pick" is the usual time from starting to the first harvest.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety of: sweet potato.

Milwaukee season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: arugula, basil, beets, bell pepper, bok choy, broccoli, bush beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, chives, cilantro, cucumber, dill, eggplant, hot pepper, kale, lettuce, parsley, peas, pole beans, potato, radish, runner beans, scallions, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Last chance for: cilantro, eggplant, spinach and turnip.

Summer June to August

Time to start: Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, eggplant, okra, parsnip, sweet potato and turnip.

Last chance for: basil, beets, bell pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, cucumber, eggplant, hot pepper, leek, okra, onion, parsnip, peas, pole beans, potato, runner beans, scallions, strawberry, sweet corn, sweet potato, Swiss chard, tomato, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Fall September to November

Time to start: cilantro, garlic and spinach.

Last chance for: arugula, bok choy, chives, cilantro, dill, garlic, kale, lettuce, parsley, radish, spinach and turnip.

Winter December to February

Time to start: celeriac, celery, leek and onion.

Last chance for: nothing closes.

Frost in Milwaukee

Last frost, most years
around April 28
Frost is unlikely after
about May 9
First frost, most years
around October 22
Frost-free days in a year
about 177

The end of frost is not planting time. Tender plants also need warm nights, which usually come two to four weeks later, and a week or two of hardening off first, so go by the months for each vegetable above. A low corner where cold air settles runs later. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, zucchini, winter squash and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Harder to grow in Milwaukee

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: fava beans.

Too cold here: rutabaga.

Questions about planting in Milwaukee

What can I plant now in Milwaukee?

In October, 1 vegetables can be sown or planted in Milwaukee, including garlic. The full list is at the top of this page and changes every month.

When should I plant tomatoes in Milwaukee?

In Milwaukee, sow tomatoes indoors from April to May and transplant them from May to July. The best time to start is in May. Picking runs from August to September.

When should I plant potatoes in Milwaukee?

In Milwaukee, plant potatoes from April to August. The best time to start is from April to July. Picking runs from July to October.

When should I plant garlic in Milwaukee?

In Milwaukee, plant garlic from September to November. The best time to start is from September to November. Picking runs from June to August.

When is the last frost in Milwaukee?

In most years the last frost in Milwaukee comes around April 28. Frost is unlikely after about May 9, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around October 22.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Milwaukee?

The quick ones are radish (about 3 weeks), arugula (about 4 weeks), bok choy (about 4 weeks), cilantro (about 5 weeks), beets (about 6 weeks), lettuce (about 6 weeks), scallions (about 6 weeks) and Swiss chard (about 6 weeks). The time is from starting to the first pick.

Other cities

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These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Milwaukee. Seasons vary from year to year, so check the seed packet and local advice as well.
Temperatures: Source: Meteostat and its data providers (CC BY 4.0). Crop temperature ranges checked against FAO ECOCROP (CC BY 4.0).

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