Gardening in Wisconsin - What to Plant in Spring & Fall

Having a productive garden in Wisconsin is easy to accomplish so long as you have the right plan. Below we’ll walk you through which plants thrive in Wisconsin, when to plant in Wisconsin, and how to adapt your garden as the seasons change.

Understanding Wisconsin Hardiness Zones

Hardiness zones, sometimes referred to as “growing zones” or “planting zones”, were created by the USDA to help gardeners determine which plants are best suited for a particular location.

Wisconsin encompasses 3 hardiness zones. They are zones 3, 4 and 5. Before we get started, determine which zone you live in by visiting this interactive USDA hardiness zone map.

At their core, hardiness zones only represent how cold a particular area gets in winter. This information, combined with the average frost dates for your area, is the key to planting the right herbs and vegetables in Wisconsin.

Below, we’ll guide you through the best crops to grow in your zone in Wisconsin and when to plant them.

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Spring Gardening in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin growing zones 3, 4 and 5, spring is considerably cold compared to most other areas. As a result, the viable growing season in these locations is fairly short.

To get the most out of your garden in Wisconsin zones 3, 4 and 5, seedlings should to be started indoors. We also recommend using a blanket of straw to help protect transplants from a surprise frost.

With so much of the growing season experiencing cooler temperatures, focusing on frost tolerant crops is a great strategy for success. Vegetables such as broccoli, kale, carrots, and romaine lettuce can usually be planted in late April or May for zones 3, 4 and 5. Cool weather crops that have a bit longer growing period, such as Brussels sprouts, parsnips, and artichokes, are another great option for the colder areas of Wisconsin.

But at the end of the day, for most common garden vegetables in Wisconsin zones 3, 4 and 5, planting will have to wait until things warm up in June.

Fall Gardening in Wisconsin

For Wisconsin growing zones 3, 4 and 5, fall gardening is a race against the cold. Likely, you’ll want to plant short season fall crops during July or August, to ensure ample harvest time before the season’s first frost hits.

Cold hardy produce are the most viable fall crops for Wisconsin growing zones 3, 4 and 5. Some of our favorites for Wisconsin are radishes, collard greens, cabbage, and beets. Not only can these type of plants withstand a bit of cold, but they’ll be great roasted or thrown in soups and stews during the Wisconsin winter months.

You can also extend the life of your fall garden in Wisconsin zones 3, 4 and 5 by using methods such as hotbeds, covering plants with a plastic sheet at night, or “overwintering” perennials such as tomatoes and peppers.

Still not sure what to plant in Wisconsin?

See our full list of growing guides for cold weather vegetables and warm weather vegetables for more inspiration.