Planting calendar for Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Dates from 30 years of records at the West Allis weather station, 5.0 miles from Milwaukee, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Milwaukee at a glance

Weather station: West Allis · 5.0 mi
USDA zone: 6a
Last spring frost: typically Apr 26; 1 year in 10 after May 12
First fall frost: typically Oct 22; 1 year in 10 before Oct 7
Frost-free season: about 179 days
Hottest month: July: highs 85°F, nights 63°F
Coldest month: January: highs 31°F, nights 15°F
Rain: 39 in. a year, most in May, June and August

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Milwaukee typically comes around Apr 26, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 12. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 22. That leaves about 179 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Milwaukee gets about 39 inches of rain a year, most of it in May, June and August.

155 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 19 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Milwaukee, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola, Snapdragon

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Catnip, Lovage, Parsley, Statice, Stock

March12

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Cabbage, Fava bean, Kale, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Arugula, Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Radish

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (early / short-season), Catnip, Feverfew, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

April52

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Dill, Feverfew, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Bok choy / pak choi, Cabbage, Kale, Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Shallot, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Chervil, Cilantro, Sage, Blueberry, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Milkweed (native)

May35

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cardoon, Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Salsify, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Borage, Epazote, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Thyme

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry

Flowers: Milkweed (native), Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lemon verbena, Lovage, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Tarragon (French), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Stock, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice

June59

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Potato, Pumpkin, Purslane, Rutabaga, Salsify, Southern pea / cowpea, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Sage, Stevia, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pea (snap & snow), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Turnip, Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

July62

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Cilantro, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Okinawa spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Turnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Dill, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Stock

Start seeds indoors

Lettuce (romaine & head)

August40

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Mache (corn salad), Annual salvia

September9

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Garden cress, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach

Flowers: Pansy / viola

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

Every crop that grows in Milwaukee

155 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 28–Jun 11, Aug 4–20	Jun 12–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	May 14–28, Jul 3–23	May 29–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Apr 12–26	Apr 27–May 24	Feb 8–22	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 30–Apr 25, Aug 3–Sep 14	Mar 15–29, Apr 26–May 15, Jun 30–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 29–Apr 24	Apr 25–May 24	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	May 14–28, Jul 17–Aug 7	May 29–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	May 14–28, Jun 12–Jul 3	May 29–Jun 11	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 28–Jun 11, Jun 18–Jul 8	—	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	May 14–28, Jul 7–28	May 29–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 29–Apr 19, Aug 2–23	Apr 20–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	May 14–28, Jul 5–26	May 29–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Jul 29–Aug 16	Apr 12–21, Jul 15–28	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Jun 18–Jul 2	Jul 3–9	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 29–Apr 12, Jul 26–Aug 15	Apr 13–May 10, Jun 18–Jul 25	Feb 15–Mar 1, Jun 14–Jul 4	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 29–Apr 14, Aug 4–Sep 2	Apr 15–29, Jul 4–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 29–Apr 12, Jul 7–28	Apr 13–20, May 12–Jul 6	Feb 15–Mar 1, May 26–Jun 16	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 22–Apr 5, Jul 13–Aug 3	Apr 6–Jul 12	Feb 8–22, Jun 1–22	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 26–May 10	May 11–Jun 9	Feb 22–Mar 8	Set out plants
Carrot	Apr 5–26, Jul 23–Aug 13	Apr 27–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Apr 5–19, Jul 12–Aug 1	Apr 20–May 14, Jun 25–Jul 11	Feb 22–Mar 8, May 31–Jun 20	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 16–30, Jun 8–29	May 1–Jun 7	Jan 29–Feb 12, Mar 23–Apr 13	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 29–May 13, Jun 4–25	May 14–Jun 3	Feb 11–25, Mar 19–Apr 9	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 16–30	May 1–Jun 22	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Apr 5–26, Jul 31–Aug 20	Apr 27–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 29–Apr 12, Aug 6–27	Apr 13–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	May 14–28, Jul 10–31	May 29–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	May 14–28, Jul 8–28	May 29–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Apr 5–19, Aug 2–23	Apr 20–May 4, Jul 9–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 28–Jun 11, Jun 20–Jul 10	Jun 12–19	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 28–Jun 11, Jun 23–Jul 13	Jun 12–22	Mar 26–Apr 9, Apr 21–May 11	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 1–Nov 5	—	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Mar 17–24	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Apr 12–26, Jul 4–25	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 12–May 9, Aug 21–Sep 18	May 10–29, Jul 16–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 1–Nov 5	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 18–26	—	Apr 30–May 8	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 29–Apr 12	Apr 13–May 24	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Mar 15–Apr 5, Aug 19–Sep 8	Apr 6–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 29–Apr 12, Aug 10–30	Apr 13–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jul 19–Sep 7	Apr 26–May 16, Jun 20–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 29–Apr 12, Jun 27–Jul 18	Apr 13–Jun 26	Jan 25–Feb 8, Apr 25–May 16	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 30–Apr 17, Jul 28–Sep 4	Mar 29, Apr 18–May 8, Jun 22–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Jul 18–Aug 18	Apr 5–20, Jun 24–Jul 17	Jun 13–Jul 14	Set out plants
Mache (corn salad)	Aug 28–Sep 16	Mar 29–Apr 8, Aug 13–27	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Jun 18–Jul 14	—	Apr 30–May 26	Set out plants
Moringa	Jun 18–Jul 2	—	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 27–Apr 18, Aug 9–Sep 12	Mar 15–26, Apr 19–May 4, Jul 10–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jul 4–Aug 13	Apr 12–24, Jun 7–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	May 14–28, Jul 10–30	May 29–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Jun 18–Jul 2	Jul 3–23	—	Set out plants
Okra	Jun 18–Jul 2, Jul 8–20	—	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Mar 29–Apr 13, May 28–Jul 9	Mar 15–28, Apr 14–May 27	Jan 11–26, Mar 12–Apr 23	Set out plants
Parsnip	Apr 5–26	Apr 27–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 17–31, Jul 31–Aug 20	Apr 1–May 14, Jun 24–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 17–31, Jul 31–Aug 20	Apr 1–May 13, Jun 21–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 19–Jun 2, Jun 15–Jul 6	Jun 3–14	Mar 17–31, Apr 13–May 4	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 14–28, Jun 25–Jul 16	May 29–Jun 24	Mar 12–26, Apr 23–May 14	Set out plants
Popcorn	May 14–21	May 22–Jun 20	—	Sow seeds
Potato	May 27–Jul 5	Apr 2–May 26	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	May 14–Jun 11	—	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 28–Jun 11, Jul 16–Aug 6	Jun 12–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 29–Apr 5	Apr 6–17	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Apr 1–May 4, Aug 20–Sep 26	Mar 22–31, May 5–27, Jul 13–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 29–Apr 24	Apr 25–May 24	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Jun 17–30	—	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Apr 5–26, May 19–Jun 9	Apr 27–May 18	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Mar 15–29, Jul 2–23	Mar 30–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Jun 18–Jul 10	—	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Mar 15–Apr 7, Aug 23–Sep 21	Apr 8–25, Jul 19–Aug 22	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	May 14–28, Jul 13–Aug 2	May 29–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 26–May 17	Apr 5–25	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	May 14–21, Jun 25–Jul 15	May 22–Jun 24	—	Sow seeds
Swiss chard	Apr 5–26, Aug 7–28	Apr 27–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	May 14–28	May 29–Jul 13	Apr 2–16	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	May 14–28, Jul 10–30	May 29–Jul 9	Mar 26–Apr 9, May 22–Jun 11	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	May 3–10, Jul 15–Aug 4	May 11–Jul 14	Mar 15–22, May 27–Jun 16	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 28–Jun 11, Jun 27–Jul 18	Jun 12–26	Apr 9–23, May 9–30	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	May 14–28, Jun 27–Jul 18	May 29–Jun 26	Mar 26–Apr 9, May 9–30	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	May 14–28, Jun 25–Jul 15	May 29–Jun 24	Mar 26–Apr 9, May 7–27	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 29–Apr 12, Aug 12–Sep 2	Apr 13–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Apr 5–19	Apr 20–May 31	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 28–Jun 11	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	May 14–28, May 31–Jun 21	—	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Jun 18–Jul 9	—	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	May 31–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 30	Apr 16–May 7	Set out plants
Basil	May 28–Jun 4, Jul 8–28	Jun 5–Jul 7	Apr 23–30, Jun 3–23	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	May 31–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 30	Apr 12–May 3	Set out plants
Borage	Apr 22–May 7, Jul 3–Aug 14	Apr 19–21, May 8–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Apr 5–19, Jul 13–Aug 3	Apr 20–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Apr 12–May 3	May 4–24	Feb 22–Mar 15	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 29–Apr 12, Jul 28–Aug 18	Apr 13–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Aug 7–Sep 2	Apr 5–20, Jul 14–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Chives	May 29–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 28	Apr 10–May 3	Set out plants
Cilantro	Jul 20–Aug 25	Apr 12–23, Jun 26–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 23–Jul 21	May 28–Jun 22, Jul 22–23	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Jun 18–Jul 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Apr 12–19, Jul 29–Aug 19	Apr 20–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	May 14–28, Jul 22–Aug 12	May 29–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Jul 25–Aug 31	Apr 26–May 19, Jun 30–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Apr 19–May 2, May 31–Jun 14	May 3–30	Mar 1–14, Apr 12–26	Set out plants
Garlic chives	May 29–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 28	Apr 10–May 3	Set out plants
Lavender	May 28–Jun 21	May 3–27	Mar 12–Apr 5	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Apr 15–May 6	Apr 12–14, May 7–24	Mar 11–Apr 1	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 28–Jun 21	May 3–27	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 18–26	—	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Apr 12–28	Apr 29–May 24	Feb 22–Mar 10	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 28–Jun 21	May 3–27	Apr 9–May 3	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 12–May 3	May 4–24	—	Set out plants
Oregano	May 28–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 27	Apr 9–May 3	Set out plants
Papalo	May 28–Jun 11	Jun 12–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Apr 5–19, Jul 13–Aug 3	Apr 20–Jul 12	Feb 1–15, May 11–Jun 1	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 28–Jun 21	May 3–27	Mar 12–Apr 5	Set out plants
Sage	May 29–Jun 14	Apr 19–May 28	Apr 10–26	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	May 14–21	May 22–Jul 25	Apr 9–16	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Apr 5–May 3	May 4–31	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 10–28	May 28–Jun 9, Jun 29–Jul 3	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Jun 4–21	Apr 26–Jun 3	—	Set out plants
Thyme	May 24–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 23	Mar 29–Apr 26	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Jun 11–Jul 9	May 14–Jun 10	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Jun 4–21	Apr 26–Jun 3	Apr 16–May 3	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 23–Apr 12	Apr 13–May 25	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 23–Apr 5	Apr 6–Jun 8	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 28–Jun 11, Jun 13–Jul 3	—	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	May 14–28	May 29–Jul 18	Apr 9–23	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 10	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	May 14–28	May 29–Jul 23	Mar 26–Apr 9	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 29–Apr 12	Apr 13–May 24	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Apr 1–29	Mar 29–31, Apr 30–May 24	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 28–Jul 1	—	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 13–Jul 28	May 14–Jun 12, Jul 29–Aug 12	Apr 4–May 19	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 29–Apr 19, Jul 18–Aug 15	Apr 20–May 9, Jun 13–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 1–Jul 11	Apr 26–May 31, Jul 12–15	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Apr 12–May 2, Jul 12–Aug 30	May 3–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 29–Apr 19, Jul 18–Aug 15	Apr 20–May 9, Jun 13–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Jun 18–Jul 1	—	Apr 30–May 13	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	Jun 8–Jul 8	May 14–Jun 7, Jul 9–13	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Jun 7–Jul 24	Mar 29–Jun 6	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 14–Jul 12	May 28–Jun 13, Jul 13–23	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 14–Jul 12	May 28–Jun 13, Jul 13–23	Apr 26–May 24	Set out plants
Larkspur	Mar 15–Apr 5	—	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 13–Jul 25	May 14–Jun 12, Jul 26–Aug 7	Apr 25–Jun 6	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 24–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 23	Apr 19–May 17	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Jun 29–Aug 12	Apr 29–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Mar 15–Apr 5, Aug 25–Sep 14	Apr 6–May 8, Jul 30–Aug 24	Jun 9–29, Dec 28–Jan 18	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jul 3–27	Jun 18–Jul 2, Jul 28–Aug 5	May 1–25	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Jun 2–21	Apr 26–Jun 1	Mar 17–Apr 5	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 29–Apr 10, Jul 3–24	Jun 7–Jul 2	Jan 25–Feb 6, May 1–22	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 14–Aug 4	May 11–Jul 13	Feb 22–Mar 8, May 12–Jun 2	Set out plants
Stock	Apr 12–26, Aug 12–Sep 2	Apr 27–May 10, Jul 14–Aug 11	Feb 8–22, Jun 10–Jul 1	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 29–May 13, Jul 22–Aug 11	May 14–Jul 21	Mar 11–25, Jun 3–23	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 10–Jul 7	May 14–Jun 9, Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Apr 5–May 1, Jul 16–Sep 1	May 2–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 17–Apr 14	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 15–Jul 14	May 28–Jun 14, Jul 15–25	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Milwaukee

These need a climate Milwaukee doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 15°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 15°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 15°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 15°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 179 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fig: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 22°F; the coldest month here averages 15°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 179 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Luffa gourd: The frost-free season (about 179 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 15°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 15°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 15°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 179 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 179 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 15°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 179 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza: The frost-free season (about 179 days) is shorter than the 108 days it needs.
Sweet potato: The frost-free season (about 179 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 179 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.
Winged bean: The frost-free season (about 179 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Chicago, IL 83 mi · last frost around Apr 10
Indianapolis, IN 243 mi · last frost around Apr 20
Detroit, MI 252 mi · last frost around Apr 21
Minneapolis, MN 298 mi · last frost around Apr 23
Des Moines, IA 308 mi · last frost around Apr 18
All Wisconsin cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the West Allis station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).