When to Plant Potatoes in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Mar 29 – Apr 12 in Pleasant Prairie to Apr 16 – Apr 30 in Green Bay. In Milwaukee, it's Apr 5 – Apr 19. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 19 in Pleasant Prairie, May 7 in Green Bay), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in Wisconsin by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Appleton | 5b | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Beloit | 5b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Brookfield | 5b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Caledonia | 6a | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| De Pere | 5b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Eau Claire | 4b | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Fitchburg | 5b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Fond du Lac | 5b | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Franklin | 5b | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Germantown | 5b | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Green Bay | 5b | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Greenfield | 5b | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Howard | 5b | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Janesville | 5b | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Kenosha | 5b | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| La Crosse | 5a | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Madison | 5a | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Manitowoc | 5b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Menomonee Falls | 5b | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Mequon | 5b | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Middleton | 5a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Milwaukee | 6a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Mount Pleasant | 5b | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Muskego | 5b | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Neenah | 5b | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| New Berlin | 5b | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Oak Creek | 6a | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Oshkosh | 5b | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Pleasant Prairie | 5b | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Racine | 6a | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Sheboygan | 6a | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Stevens Point | 4b | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Sun Prairie | 5a | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Superior | 5a | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Watertown | 5b | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Waukesha | 5b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Wausau | 4b | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Wauwatosa | 5b | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| West Allis | 5b | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| West Bend | 5b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Wisconsin, or the general guide to when to plant potatoes.
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