When to plant in Elkhorn, WI
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Elkhorn, Wisconsin — all computed from Elkhorn's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 5b, Elkhorn gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
DELAVAN WWTP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Elkhorn’s own odds, recorded at DELAVAN WWTP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 26 | May 10 | Apr 26 | Sep 20 | Oct 3 | Oct 15 |
| 32°F | May 14 | Apr 28 | Apr 12 | Sep 28 | Oct 14 | Oct 26 |
| 28°F | May 1 | Apr 15 | Apr 2 | Oct 8 | Oct 25 | Nov 8 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Elkhorn, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 23 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Elkhorn planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Elkhorn, WI?
Elkhorn's average last spring frost falls near April 28 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Elkhorn, WI?
In Elkhorn, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 14 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Elkhorn in?
Elkhorn is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Elkhorn?
Elkhorn has about 169 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 28) and first fall frost (October 14).
When should I plant tomatoes in Elkhorn?
For Elkhorn, sow tomatoes indoors about March 3–March 17 and move the seedlings out around May 5, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Elkhorn
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Elkhorn’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Burlington · 22 km
- Whitewater · 25 km
- Salem Lakes · 36 km
- Fort Atkinson · 38 km
- Janesville · 39 km
- Fox Lake · 40 km
- Muskego · 40 km
- Woodstock · 41 km
Frost dates recorded at DELAVAN WWTP, 11 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Elkhorn, WI — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00472051. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/wisconsin/elkhorn.