When to plant in West Bend, WI
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for West Bend, Wisconsin — all computed from West Bend's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5b means West Bend sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
W BEND PUBLIC WORKS · 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 West Bend’s own odds, recorded at W BEND PUBLIC WORKS.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 28 | May 12 | Apr 30 | Sep 20 | Oct 1 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F | May 18 | May 1 | Apr 19 | Sep 28 | Oct 12 | Oct 26 |
| 28°F | May 6 | Apr 22 | Apr 8 | Oct 9 | Oct 24 | Nov 6 |
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 West Bend, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 11 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.
West Bend planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in West Bend, WI?
On average, the last spring frost in West Bend is around May 1 (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 West Bend, WI?
Expect West Bend's first fall frost near October 12 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is West Bend in?
West Bend 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 West Bend?
There are roughly 164 frost-free days in West Bend (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 1 to the first fall frost near October 12.
When should I plant tomatoes in West Bend?
In West Bend, start tomato seeds indoors around March 6–March 20, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 8 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in West Bend
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to West Bend’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Hartford · 19 km
- Richfield · 20 km
- Cedarburg · 20 km
- Germantown · 21 km
- Grafton · 22 km
- Port Washington · 24 km
- Mequon · 27 km
- Menomonee Falls · 29 km
Frost dates recorded at W BEND PUBLIC WORKS, 1 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 West Bend, WI — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00479052. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/wisconsin/west-bend.