When to plant winter rye in Madison, Wisconsin
September 9 – September 23
Fall planting · typical Madison yearClimate 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. Plant winter rye for fall from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median first fall 32°F freeze (October 9). One year in ten still freezes after May 17.
The Madison year
- indoors under lights
- in the garden
- frost-free season
- 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 17
Every method, with its sources
Fall planting
Sep 9 – Sep 23UMass Extension's cover-crop fact sheet sets the general rule at about 30 days before the first expected frost date and, in the following sentence, names winter rye as a species that may go in a little closer to that date; the stated 30-day point is taken as the window opening and expanded to the standard 14-day span, with rye's tolerance for later seeding noted rather than quantified, since "a little closer" prints no number. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Oct 9). UMass Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment
Start seeds indoors
Not calculatedThe cited extension guides do not time an indoor seed-starting window for this crop.
Transplant outdoors
Not calculatedThe cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.
Direct-sow outdoors
Not calculatedThe cited extension guides do not time direct sowing for this crop.
Variety assumption: Assumes seeding for overwintering ground cover with most growth resumed in early spring, then turned under before the next crop.
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.
Crop rule sources (1)
- UMass Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment: Cover Crops — growing tips (accessed 2026-07-25)"As a general rule, cover crops should be planted about 30 days before the first expected frost date."