When to plant in Manitowoc, WI
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Manitowoc, Wisconsin — all computed from Manitowoc's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5b means Manitowoc sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
MANITOWOC · 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 Manitowoc’s own odds, recorded at MANITOWOC.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 31 | May 12 | Apr 28 | Sep 24 | Oct 7 | Oct 24 |
| 32°F | May 15 | Apr 30 | Apr 14 | Oct 3 | Oct 20 | Nov 3 |
| 28°F | May 3 | Apr 16 | Apr 2 | Oct 17 | Nov 1 | Nov 13 |
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 Manitowoc, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 30 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.
Manitowoc planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Manitowoc, WI?
On average, the last spring frost in Manitowoc is around April 30 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Manitowoc, WI?
In Manitowoc, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 20 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Manitowoc in?
Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc?
There are roughly 173 frost-free days in Manitowoc (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 30 to the first fall frost near October 20.
When should I plant tomatoes in Manitowoc?
In Manitowoc, start tomato seeds indoors around March 5–March 19, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Manitowoc
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Manitowoc’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at MANITOWOC, 2 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 Manitowoc, WI — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00475017. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/wisconsin/manitowoc.