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Planting Calendar for Appleton, WI

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The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

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Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on October 1 (at APPLETON, WI climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 13-Sep 17
Moon Aug 23-Sep 7
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 9-Aug 6
Moon Jul 11-23
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Jul 23-Aug 13
Moon Jul 24-Aug 9
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jul 2-9
Moon Jul 2-9
Frost Jul 23-Aug 6
Moon Jul 24-Aug 6
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 11-25
Moon Jun 11
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jul 2-9
Moon Jul 2-9
Frost Jul 23-30
Moon Jul 24-30
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jul 16-23
Moon Jul 16-23
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jun 25-Jul 2
Moon Jun 25-Jul 2
Frost Jul 9-16
Moon Jul 9-10
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 9-Aug 6
Moon Jul 9-10, Jul 24-Aug 6
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jul 2-16
Moon Jul 2-10
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Oct 15-29
Moon Oct 15-20
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jul 16-30
Moon Jul 24-30
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Jul 23-Aug 6
Moon Jul 24-Aug 6
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Jul 30-Aug 20
Moon Jul 30-Aug 9
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Jul 23-Aug 6
Moon Jul 24-Aug 6
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Jul 30-Aug 20
Moon Jul 30-Aug 9
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Jul 23-Aug 6
Moon Jul 24-Aug 6
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Aug 20-Sep 3
Moon Aug 20-22
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 13-Sep 3
Moon Aug 23-Sep 3
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Jul 23-Aug 6
Moon Jul 24-Aug 6
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Jul 30-Aug 13
Moon Aug 10-13
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 10 (at APPLETON, WI climate station, elevation 790 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost Apr 19-May 3
Moon Apr 27-May 3
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Sep 3
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 26-May 10
Moon Apr 26
May 10
BasilFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost May 24-Jun 7
Moon May 26-Jun 7
Frost May 24-Jun 7
Moon May 26-Jun 7
Aug 20
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 26-May 10
Moon Apr 26
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 13-19
May 24
Bell PeppersFrost Feb 28-Mar 15
Moon Feb 28-Mar 14
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
N/AJul 9
Bok ChoyFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Jun 21
BroccoliFrost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost Apr 26-May 10
Moon Apr 27-May 10
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Jul 30
Brussels SproutsFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost Apr 26-May 10
Moon Apr 27-May 10
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Jun 25
CabbageFrost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost Apr 26-May 10
Moon Apr 27-May 10
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
May 17
CantaloupesFrost Apr 19-May 3
Moon Apr 27-May 3
Frost May 10-24
Moon May 10-12
Frost May 17-24
Jun 25
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Apr 12-26
Moon Apr 13-26
Jul 23
CauliflowerFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost May 3-17
Moon May 3-12
N/AJul 16
CeleryFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost May 17-31
Moon May 26-31
Frost May 10
Moon May 10
Jul 23
ChivesFrost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost Apr 19-26
Frost Apr 19-26
Aug 6
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost May 10-24
Moon May 10-12
May 31
CollardsFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost Apr 26-May 10
Moon Apr 27-May 10
Frost Apr 19-26
Jul 23
CucumbersFrost Apr 19-26
Frost May 17-31
Moon May 26-31
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Jul 23
DillN/AN/AFrost May 3-24
Moon May 3-12
Aug 6
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Jun 25
EggplantsFrost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
N/AJul 23
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
May 24
FennelFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost May 17-24
Frost May 10-24
Moon May 10-12
Jul 16
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost May 17-Jun 7
Moon May 26-Jun 7
Jul 23
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 19-26
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Jul 2
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Feb 28-Mar 15
Moon Feb 28-Mar 14
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
N/A
KaleFrost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost Apr 26-May 10
Moon Apr 27-May 10
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
May 24
KohlrabiFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost Apr 19-26
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
May 24
LeeksFrost Feb 28-Mar 15
Moon Feb 28-Mar 14
Frost Apr 19-May 3
Moon Apr 27-May 3
N/AJun 18
LettuceFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost Apr 19-26
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
May 24
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Apr 12-26
Moon Apr 12
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Frost May 24-Jun 7
Moon May 26-Jun 7
Jul 23
OnionsN/AFrost Apr 12-26
Moon Apr 13-26
N/AJun 25
OreganoFrost Feb 28-Mar 29
Moon Feb 28-Mar 14, Mar 29
Frost May 17-31
Moon May 26-31
N/AJul 23
ParsleyFrost Feb 28-Mar 15
Moon Feb 28-Mar 14
Frost May 17-31
Moon May 26-31
Frost Apr 12-May 17
Moon Apr 12, Apr 27-May 12
Jul 16
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 13-19
Jun 25
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost May 31-Jun 14
Moon Jun 12-14
PeasN/AN/AFrost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
May 24
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 12-26
Moon Apr 13-26
Jul 23
PumpkinsFrost Apr 19-May 3
Moon Apr 27-May 3
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Jun 18
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 13-19
Aug 6
RosemaryFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
N/AAug 6
SageFrost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost May 17-31
Moon May 26-31
N/AJul 16
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Apr 12-26
Moon Apr 13-26
Jun 25
SpinachFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost Apr 19-26
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
May 24
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 24-Jun 7
Moon May 26-Jun 7
Jul 16
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 24-Jun 7
Moon May 24-25
Jun 18
Swiss ChardFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost Apr 26-May 10
Moon Apr 27-May 10
Frost Apr 19-May 10
Moon Apr 27-May 10
May 24
ThymeFrost Feb 28-Mar 15
Moon Feb 28-Mar 14
Frost May 17-24
N/AJul 9
TomatillosFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost May 24-Jun 7
Moon May 26-Jun 7
N/AJul 16
TomatoesFrost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
N/AJul 2
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 13-19
Sep 3
WatermelonsFrost Apr 19-May 3
Moon Apr 27-May 3
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Frost May 17-24
Jul 2
Winter SquashFrost Apr 19-26
Frost May 17-31
Moon May 26-31
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Jun 11
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Apr 19-26
Frost May 17-31
Moon May 26-31
Frost May 24-31
Moon May 26-31
Jul 30
The Old Farmer's Store