FrostCal

When to Plant Zucchini in Wisconsin

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Apr 9 – Apr 16, then sow outdoors May 7 – May 21, 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 Direct sow
Days to maturity 45–55 days

Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Zucchini Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
MilwaukeeApr 5 – Apr 12May 3 – May 17May 3 – May 10
MadisonApr 10 – Apr 17May 8 – May 22May 8 – May 15
Green BayApr 16 – Apr 23May 14 – May 28May 14 – May 21
KenoshaMar 29 – Apr 5Apr 26 – May 10Apr 26 – May 3
RacineMar 30 – Apr 6Apr 27 – May 11Apr 27 – May 4
AppletonApr 13 – Apr 20May 11 – May 25May 11 – May 18
WaukeshaApr 10 – Apr 17May 8 – May 22May 8 – May 15
Eau ClaireApr 3 – Apr 10May 1 – May 15May 1 – May 8
OshkoshApr 3 – Apr 10May 1 – May 15May 1 – May 8
JanesvilleApr 5 – Apr 12May 3 – May 17May 3 – May 10
West AllisApr 5 – Apr 12May 3 – May 17May 3 – May 10
La CrosseApr 6 – Apr 13May 4 – May 18May 4 – May 11
North La CrosseApr 2 – Apr 9Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
SheboyganApr 4 – Apr 11May 2 – May 16May 2 – May 9
WauwatosaApr 5 – Apr 12May 3 – May 17May 3 – May 10
Fond du LacApr 6 – Apr 13May 4 – May 18May 4 – May 11
New BerlinApr 12 – Apr 19May 10 – May 24May 10 – May 17
WausauApr 15 – Apr 22May 13 – May 27May 13 – May 20
BrookfieldApr 9 – Apr 16May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
GreenfieldApr 12 – Apr 19May 10 – May 24May 10 – May 17
BeloitApr 10 – Apr 17May 8 – May 22May 8 – May 15
FranklinApr 12 – Apr 19May 10 – May 24May 10 – May 17
Menomonee FallsApr 15 – Apr 22May 13 – May 27May 13 – May 20
Oak CreekApr 1 – Apr 8Apr 29 – May 13Apr 29 – May 6
ManitowocApr 9 – Apr 16May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
Sun PrairieApr 10 – Apr 17May 8 – May 22May 8 – May 15
West BendApr 10 – Apr 17May 8 – May 22May 8 – May 15
FitchburgApr 10 – Apr 17May 8 – May 22May 8 – May 15
Stevens PointApr 13 – Apr 20May 11 – May 25May 11 – May 18
SuperiorApr 15 – Apr 22May 13 – May 27May 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 zucchini in Wisconsin?

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Apr 9 – Apr 16, then sow outdoors May 7 – May 21, 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 zucchini take to grow?

Zucchini typically take 45–55 days from planting to harvest. Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Other Crops in Wisconsin

When to plant zucchini in other states

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