What to plant this week in Milwaukee, WI
With last frost officially behind us on April 21, Milwaukee gardeners can finally move warm-season crops like bush beans and cucumbers into the ground. The coming weeks are critical for getting your early sweet corn and zucchini started before the soil cools down again after rain.
The next 7 days
Milwaukee, WIGrowing in Milwaukee right now
- Milwaukee's heavy clay soils in many backyards drain slowly; amend planting holes with coarse compost or create raised beds to prevent root rot on water-loving crops like okra.
- Be prepared for sudden late April temperature swings typical of our lake-effect climate, which can shock tender seedlings like basil and ghost pepper plants.
- Take advantage of the mild shoulder season now that nights are warming; this is prime time for sowing fast-growing bush beans and harvesting early zucchini.
- Watch your planting depth carefully on slopes common in Milwaukee neighborhoods to prevent erosion when our spring rains intensify.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
41 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and sweet corn every two weeks for continuous harvests through summer.
- Pinch back the tops of zucchini and squash plants now to encourage more fruit development rather than just vines.
- Cut back dying foliage on basil and borage after heavy harvesting to promote a second, smaller flush of growth.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids will likely hit new transplants like cosmos and marigolds hard as temperatures stabilize above 50°F; spray with insecticidal soap if populations build up quickly.
- Watch for early slugs on low-growing nasturtiums and spinach, especially in the damp microclimates created by nearby waterways and shaded yards.
- Powdery mildew can appear on squash varieties like yellow summer zucchini during these humid spring mornings; ensure good air circulation around plants.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to reduce evaporation while supporting heavy fruit production on melons and squash.
Pull any volunteer weeds immediately around your transplants like edamame and fennel before they compete for nutrients.
Milwaukee gardening questions
3Can I plant garlic now that the frost date has passed?
No, garlic must be planted in the fall (September/October) to establish roots before winter dormancy. However, you can plant garlic cloves indoors now for a late-start transplant next month if your local nursery offers it.
When should I harvest my first zucchini and bush beans?
Harvest bush beans once pods are 3-4 inches long to prevent the plants from going to seed, while picking zucchini every other day when they are small (under 6 inches) ensures tender skin and encourages more fruit.
How do I protect my ghost pepper and okra from our unpredictable Milwaukee winds?
Stake tall varieties like ghost peppers immediately after planting and use floating row covers or lightweight fabric over young plants to shield them from gusts off Lake Michigan.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Milwaukee garden in SproutGuide →