Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Madison, WI

Madison, WI is in USDA zones 5a to 5b across its 32 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 9.

Madison on the zone map

Outlined: its 14 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zones5a–5b−20 to −10 °F

ZIP codes32

Last frostMay 1

First frostOct 9

Growing season161 days

5a 6 ZIPs 5b 26 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Madison, WI…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Madison, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 26

Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Uw Arboretum - Madison, WI, elevation 869 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Madison

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29

BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 9) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 53706 came on Mar 30 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

average
Apr 122026
Mar 30

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 5a in Wisconsin

510 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Madison, WI.

Soil in Madison, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 53706 is Dodge — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dodge silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 53706; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Madison, WI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights157nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,708base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 00 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation39 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Uw Arboretum - Madison, WI (2 mi away); precipitation: Madison 3.7 Wsw, WI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Madison

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about Madison

What planting zone is Madison, WI?

Madison, WI is in USDA hardiness zones 5a to 5b on the 2023 map (5a: −20 to −15 °F; 5b: −15 to −10 °F).

When is the last frost in Madison, WI?

The median last spring frost is May 1 and the median first fall frost is October 9 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Uw Arboretum - Madison station).

When can I plant a garden in Madison, WI?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 20 – Apr 10; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 8, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Madison, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Madison, WI get?

About 39 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).