When to plant tomatoes in Madison, Wisconsin

May 8 – May 22

Transplant outdoors · typical Madison year

Climate basis: NOAA station Uw Arboretum - Madison, WI (USC00470273), 4 mi (6 km) from downtown Madison (ZCTA 53703 centroid), elevation 870 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant tomatoes outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (May 1). One year in ten still freezes after May 17.

Last spring freezeMay 11-in-10 after May 17

First fall freezeOctober 91-in-10 before Sep 26

Frost-free season≈ 161 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 20 – Oct 20kills even hardy greens

USDA zone5b-15 to -10°F winter low — not frost timing

The Madison year

Start seeds indoorsMar 13 – Mar 27

Transplant outdoorsMay 8 – May 22

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to May 17

Tomatoes in Madison · freeze context from Uw Arboretum - Madison, WI, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Mar 13 – Mar 27

Sow 6–8 weeks before the outdoor transplant window opens (UNH: time from seed to transplant 6–8 weeks; Missouri G6570: 6–8 weeks in packs). Anchored to the median last spring freeze (May 1). University of New Hampshire Extension · University of Missouri Extension

Transplant outdoors

May 8 – May 22

UNH: safe to set out 1–2 weeks after last frost. Purdue classes tomato as tender — plant after the average last spring frost. Latest-starting rule (UNH) used; span extended to 14 days. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (May 1). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension

Direct-sow outdoors

Not calculated

Direct seeding is not recommended timing practice in the cited guides for most U.S. climates; tomatoes are grown from transplants.

Variety assumption: Assumes an average mid-season variety (roughly 65–80 days from transplant).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (3)

University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
University of Missouri Extension: Starting Plants Indoors from Seeds (G6570) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Weeks needed to grow vegetable transplants indoors (Table 2).
Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.

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