What to plant this week in Madison, WI
With the average last frost date falling on May 1, Madison gardeners are still waiting for that official green light in early spring, but your warm-season crops like Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini can be sown directly into the ground this week. Keep an eye out for late frosts lingering in low-lying areas of the valley before planting heat-lovers.
The next 7 days
Madison, WIGrowing in Madison right now
- Madison's clay-heavy soils retain moisture well during our humid summers but freeze deeply in winter, making early spring soil work difficult until warming rains soften the surface.
- The city's unique microclimates mean south-facing slopes along Lake Mendota warm up weeks earlier than north-facing neighborhoods near Camp Randall Stadium.
- Expect erratic rainfall patterns typical of Wisconsin; monitor local barometers and be ready to water heavily during our frequent dry spells in late spring.
- Protect young seedlings from strong April winds common across the campus areas by using temporary row covers until plants harden off.
Sow this week
6 crops- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Nasturtium
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
55 crops- Banana Pepper
- Basil
- Beefsteak Tomato
- Beet
- Bell Pepper
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Cayenne Pepper
- Cherry Tomato
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Collard Greens
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Geranium (Zonal)
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ground Cherry
- Jalapeño
- Lantana
- Lima Bean
- Nasturtium
- Onion
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Petunia
- Poblano Pepper
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Roma Tomato
- Rutabaga
- Scallion (Bunching Onion)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shishito Pepper
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Snapdragon
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Swiss Chard
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous supply of fresh pods.
- Mulch around heavy feeders like tomatoes and peppers to retain moisture as summer heat sets in.
- Pinch back the tops of young squash plants to encourage bushy growth before they get too large.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early-season aphid colonies forming on the undersides of newly transplanted Tomato and Pepper leaves as temperatures rise above 50°F.
- Slugs and snails are highly active in Madison's damp clay soils right now; apply organic barriers like copper tape or diatomaceous earth before rain softens garden beds.
- Monitor for Spider Mites on indoor-started Cucumber and Zucchini seedlings that have been moved outside, as humidity fluctuations often trigger these outbreaks.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep soil moist but avoid wetting foliage which invites disease on your leafy greens.
Harvest Banana Peppers and Cayenne Peppers now while they are still small for a spicier, more compact fruit.
Madison gardening questions
3Can I transplant my Tomato plants now since the frost date is May 1?
No, wait until after May 1 when soil temperatures consistently stay above 60°F to avoid shock and root rot. Transplanting too early in Madison's cool spring air will likely stunt your Beefsteak or Roma Tomato growth.
My Cabbage looks stunted despite good care; is this a weather issue?
This is likely 'bolting' triggered by our fluctuating temperatures, where the plant flowers prematurely due to stress. To prevent this next year, ensure consistent moisture and avoid sudden temperature spikes during the seedling stage.
When should I harvest my Sweet Corn planted last week?
Look for silks that have turned brown and dried out; in Madison's zone 5b climate, ears are usually ready to pick about 21 days after silk emergence. Harvest immediately upon maturity as the sugar content drops rapidly once removed from the stalk.
Other cities in zone 5b
8See the full zone 5b guide → · Plan your Madison garden in SproutGuide →