When to plant sweet corn in Wisconsin
Wisconsin spans USDA zones 4b–6a, so the right time to plant sweet corn shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about April 19 in Pleasant Prairie to May 11 in River Falls — below are local dates for 97 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 6a | April 26 | October 18 | April 26 – May 10 |
| Madison | 5a | May 1 | October 9 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Green Bay | 5b | May 7 | October 9 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Kenosha | 5b | April 28 | October 19 | April 28 – May 12 |
| Racine | 6a | April 20 | October 24 | April 20 – May 4 |
| Appleton | 5b | May 4 | October 6 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Waukesha | 5b | May 1 | October 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Eau Claire | 4b | April 24 | October 14 | April 24 – May 8 |
Sweet Corn in Wisconsin: FAQ
When can I plant sweet corn in Wisconsin?
Across Wisconsin, the time to direct-sow sweet corn spans roughly April 19 in Pleasant Prairie to May 11 in River Falls, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sweet corn planting date vary across Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin publishes 97 cities with their own frost dates, so the right sweet corn planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does sweet corn take to grow in Wisconsin?
Sweet Corn takes about 60–90 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.