Lakewood 3 NE, WI Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Lakewood 3 NE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 22
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 28
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
129 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 7 May 22 Jun 3
First fall frost Oct 9 Sep 28 Sep 12
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 9 · first Oct 8

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the LAKEWOOD 3 NE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Lakewood 3 NE

Computed from Lakewood 3 NE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 29 – Jun 5
🫑 Peppers Mar 13 – Mar 27 Jun 5 – Jun 12
🥬 Lettuce Apr 10 – Apr 24 Apr 24 – May 8 Apr 24 – May 22
🫛 Peas Apr 10 – Apr 24
🥕 Carrots May 1 – May 22
🥦 Broccoli Apr 3 – Apr 17 May 1 – May 15
🥬 Kale Apr 10 – Apr 24 Apr 24 – May 8 Apr 24 – May 8
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 24 – May 1 May 29 – Jun 5 May 29 – Jun 5
🥒 Zucchini Apr 24 – May 1 May 29 – Jun 5 May 29 – Jun 5
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 29 – Jun 5
🌽 Sweet Corn May 29 – Jun 5
🌿 Basil Apr 10 – Apr 24 May 29 – Jun 5 Jun 5 – Jun 12
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 17 – Sep 14

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Lakewood 3 NE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Lakewood 3 NE

At about 129 frost-free days, Lakewood 3 NE rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Lakewood 3 NE, WI?

The average last spring frost in Lakewood 3 NE is around May 22, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Lakewood 3 NE, WI?

The average first fall frost in Lakewood 3 NE arrives around Sep 28. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Lakewood 3 NE?

About 129 frost-free days on average, from May 22 to Sep 28. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Lakewood 3 NE in?

USDA zone 5a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.