Last frost date in Madison, WI

Average last frost
May 1

Expect the last frost in Madison around May 1. Frost after May 17 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 9, which leaves 161 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 26 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 17
Average first frost
Oct 9
Frost-free season
161 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 20
Next 7 nights in Madison

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 9.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2249°
  2. FriOct 2351°
  3. SatOct 2453°
  4. SunOct 2549°
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2741°
  7. WedOct 2843°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 1First frost Oct 9161 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND161 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Uw Arboretum - Madison, 3.2 miles from Madison.

Planting calendar for Madison

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Wisconsin.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 8–May 22
PumpkinsMay 15–May 29
SunflowersMay 1–May 22
CucumbersMay 15–May 22
CornMay 8–May 22
Sweet potatoesMay 22–Jun 5
WatermelonMay 15–May 29
Green beansMay 8–May 29
ZucchiniMay 8–May 22
OkraMay 22–Jun 5
PeppersMay 15–May 29
BasilMay 8–May 22
Butternut squashMay 8–May 22
CantaloupeMay 15–May 29
EggplantMay 15–May 29
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 3–Apr 17
OnionsMar 20–Apr 10
CarrotsApr 10–May 15
LettuceApr 17–May 8
BroccoliApr 3–Apr 17
BeetsApr 3–May 15
PeasMar 20–Apr 3
CabbageApr 3–Apr 17
RadishesMar 27–May 8
Brussels sproutsApr 17–May 1
SpinachMar 20–Apr 10
CilantroApr 17–May 8
KaleApr 3–Apr 17
Collard greensApr 3–Apr 17
TurnipsApr 3–Apr 17
DillMay 1–May 15
CeleryMay 8–May 15
CauliflowerApr 17–May 1
LeeksApr 17–May 1
Swiss chardApr 17–May 15
ParsleyApr 17–May 8
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 25–Oct 30
GarlicSep 18–Oct 23
Daffodil bulbsSep 11–Oct 23
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 3–Apr 17
AsparagusApr 3–Apr 17

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 18May 1May 17Sep 26Oct 9Oct 24
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 7Apr 20May 3Oct 5Oct 20Nov 3

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Uw Arboretum - Madison (USC00470273) sits 3.2 miles from the center of Madison at 870 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Madison, WI?

The average last frost date in Madison is May 1, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 17.

When is the first frost in Madison?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 9. One year in ten it arrives before September 26.

How long is the growing season in Madison?

About 161 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Madison?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 8 to May 22. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Wisconsin

All 43 cities in Wisconsin