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

Planting zone for 53142 — Kenosha, WI

ZIP code 53142 (Kenosha, Kenosha County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 53142 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostApr 28
First frostOct 19
2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Kenosha, 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 Kenosha, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Kenosha Regional Airport, WI — 3 miles away, elevation 745 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 53142

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26
BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 53142 came on Mar 30 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

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 5b in Wisconsin

518 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 49

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 93

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 197

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 159

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 5

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

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 Kenosha, WI.

Soil in Kenosha, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 53142 is Ozaukee — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.7%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

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

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 53142; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kenosha, WI

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,862base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 19 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 03 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation36.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 31 °F, low 16 °F 31°16° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 19 °F 35°19° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 28 °F 45°28° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 43 °F 63°43° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 32 °F 49°32° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 22 °F 37°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.73 in precipitation 1.7 JanFebruary: 1.92 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 2.30 in precipitation 2.3 MarApril: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 JulAugust: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 2.32 in precipitation 2.3 NovDecember: 1.88 in precipitation 1.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kenosha Regional Airport, WI (3 mi away); precipitation: Kenosha 1.7 S, WI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

531585b
Pleasant Prairie, WI · 3 mi
531436a
Kenosha, WI · 3 mi
531416a
Kenosha, WI · 4 mi
531445b
Kenosha, WI · 4 mi
600755b
Russell, IL · 5 mi
531406a
Kenosha, WI · 5 mi
531945b
Woodworth, WI · 6 mi
531715b
Somers, WI · 6 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Kenosha → · Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 53142

What planting zone is ZIP code 53142?

ZIP code 53142 (Kenosha, WI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Kenosha, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 53142 is April 28; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kenosha Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Kenosha, WI?

The median first fall frost near 53142 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 53142?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 53142 get?

About 36.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kenosha 1.7 S station).

How hot do summers get in Kenosha, WI?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 53142 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ozaukee at the center of ZIP 53142: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Kenosha, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 53142 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kenosha, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 53142 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).