When to Plant Sweet Corn in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, the time to sow sweet corn outside runs from Apr 26 – May 10 in Pleasant Prairie to May 14 – May 28 in Green Bay. In Milwaukee, it's May 3 – May 17. 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.
Sow corn in blocks rather than single rows so it pollinates well. Wait for soil around 60°F.
- Sow outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Sweet Corn planting dates in Wisconsin by city
| City | Zone | Sow outside |
|---|---|---|
| Appleton | 5b | May 11 – May 25 |
| Beloit | 5b | May 8 – May 22 |
| Brookfield | 5b | May 7 – May 21 |
| Caledonia | 6a | May 1 – May 15 |
| De Pere | 5b | May 7 – May 21 |
| Eau Claire | 4b | May 1 – May 15 |
| Fitchburg | 5b | May 8 – May 22 |
| Fond du Lac | 5b | May 4 – May 18 |
| Franklin | 5b | May 10 – May 24 |
| Germantown | 5b | May 13 – May 27 |
| Green Bay | 5b | May 14 – May 28 |
| Greenfield | 5b | May 10 – May 24 |
| Howard | 5b | May 14 – May 28 |
| Janesville | 5b | May 3 – May 17 |
| Kenosha | 5b | May 5 – May 19 |
| La Crosse | 5a | May 4 – May 18 |
| Madison | 5a | May 8 – May 22 |
| Manitowoc | 5b | May 7 – May 21 |
| Menomonee Falls | 5b | May 13 – May 27 |
| Mequon | 5b | May 13 – May 27 |
| Middleton | 5a | May 5 – May 19 |
| Milwaukee | 6a | May 3 – May 17 |
| Mount Pleasant | 5b | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Muskego | 5b | May 10 – May 24 |
| Neenah | 5b | May 11 – May 25 |
| New Berlin | 5b | May 10 – May 24 |
| Oak Creek | 6a | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Oshkosh | 5b | May 1 – May 15 |
| Pleasant Prairie | 5b | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Racine | 6a | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Sheboygan | 6a | May 2 – May 16 |
| Stevens Point | 4b | May 11 – May 25 |
| Sun Prairie | 5a | May 8 – May 22 |
| Superior | 5a | May 13 – May 27 |
| Watertown | 5b | May 5 – May 19 |
| Waukesha | 5b | May 8 – May 22 |
| Wausau | 4b | May 13 – May 27 |
| Wauwatosa | 5b | May 3 – May 17 |
| West Allis | 5b | May 3 – May 17 |
| West Bend | 5b | May 8 – May 22 |
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 sweet corn.
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