When to plant in Racine, WI
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Racine, Wisconsin — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6a, Racine gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
RACINE · 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 Racine’s own odds, recorded at RACINE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 21 | May 4 | Apr 20 | Sep 29 | Oct 13 | Oct 27 |
| 32°F | May 6 | Apr 20 | Apr 7 | Oct 8 | Oct 24 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F | Apr 23 | Apr 9 | Mar 28 | Oct 19 | Nov 3 | Nov 16 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 20Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Racine, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 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.
Racine planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Racine, WI?
Plan for the last spring frost in Racine around April 20 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Racine, WI?
Expect Racine's first fall frost near October 24 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Racine in?
Racine is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Racine?
Racine has about 187 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 20) and first fall frost (October 24).
When should I plant tomatoes in Racine?
For Racine, sow tomatoes indoors about February 23–March 9 and move the seedlings out around April 27, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Racine
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Racine’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Mount Pleasant · 6 km
- Caledonia · 10 km
- Kenosha · 16 km
- Oak Creek · 18 km
- South Milwaukee · 21 km
- Pleasant Prairie · 23 km
- Franklin · 24 km
- Cudahy · 25 km
Frost dates recorded at RACINE, 3 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 Racine, WI — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00476922. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/wisconsin/racine.