FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Wisconsin

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 26 in Kenosha and as late as May 18 in Merrill.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
MilwaukeeMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
MadisonMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
Green BayMar 12 – Mar 26May 14 – May 21
KenoshaFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
RacineFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
AppletonMar 9 – Mar 23May 11 – May 18
WaukeshaMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
Eau ClaireFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
OshkoshFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
JanesvilleMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
West AllisMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
La CrosseMar 2 – Mar 16May 4 – May 11
North La CrosseFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
SheboyganFeb 28 – Mar 14May 2 – May 9
WauwatosaMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
Fond du LacMar 2 – Mar 16May 4 – May 11
New BerlinMar 8 – Mar 22May 10 – May 17
WausauMar 11 – Mar 25May 13 – May 20
BrookfieldMar 5 – Mar 19May 7 – May 14
GreenfieldMar 8 – Mar 22May 10 – May 17
BeloitMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
FranklinMar 8 – Mar 22May 10 – May 17
Menomonee FallsMar 11 – Mar 25May 13 – May 20
Oak CreekFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
ManitowocMar 5 – Mar 19May 7 – May 14
Sun PrairieMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
West BendMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
FitchburgMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
Stevens PointMar 9 – Mar 23May 11 – May 18
SuperiorMar 11 – Mar 25May 13 – May 20

Showing the 30 most populous of 96 Wisconsin cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Wisconsin cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Wisconsin?

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 26 in Kenosha and as late as May 18 in Merrill.

When is the last frost in Wisconsin?

The average last spring frost in Wisconsin ranges from April 19 in Kenosha to May 11 in Merrill, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Wisconsin

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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