What to plant this week in Milwaukee, WI
With last frost averaging April 21, Milwaukee gardeners are finally moving into full swing this week as the threat of hard freezes fades for your Zone 6a landscape. While the soil may still be cool in some spots, it is the perfect time to sow warm-weather crops like bush beans and cucumbers that will thrive once temperatures consistently climb above 50°F.
The next 7 days
Milwaukee, WIGrowing in Milwaukee right now
- Milwaukee's heavy clay soils can stay cold longer than other zones; use a soil thermometer before sowing okra or zucchini seeds directly into beds to ensure they aren't too chilly for germination.
- The city's high humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms increase the risk of fungal issues, so space out squash and melon plants with straw mulch rather than plastic sheets that trap moisture against the leaves.
- Take advantage of the current warm spell to start harvesting your early potatoes and beets immediately before any unexpected late spring cold snaps damage the roots.
- If planting in low-lying areas near Lake Michigan or the Menomonee River, monitor drainage closely as waterlogged clay can stunt tomato and pepper growth during this critical establishment phase.
Sow this week
7 crops- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
58 crops- Anaheim (New Mexico) Pepper
- Banana Pepper
- Basil
- Beefsteak Tomato
- Beet
- Bell Pepper
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Carrot
- Cayenne Pepper
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Geranium (Zonal)
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Honeydew Melon
- Jalapeño
- Lantana
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Marconi Pepper
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Petunia
- Poblano Pepper
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Roma Tomato
- Rutabaga
- Scallion (Bunching Onion)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Serrano Pepper
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Snapdragon
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout summer.
- Mulch around established tomato and pepper plants to retain moisture as soil temperatures rise.
- Prune dead or diseased foliage from Brassicas like Brussels Sprouts and Kale to improve air circulation.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphid colonies forming on the new tender leaves of your nasturtiums and french marigolds before they spread to nearby vegetable transplants.
- Early blight is likely to appear on basil, tomatoes, and peppers if rainfall continues; inspect leaf undersides daily and remove any spotted foliage promptly.
- Cutworms may be active in the evening, so check around the base of your sunflower and zinnia seedlings for damage that appears overnight.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to encourage strong root growth while minimizing fungal disease risk.
Pinch back the tips of young Bush Bean plants if they are leggy to encourage bushier, more productive growth.
Milwaukee gardening questions
3Can I transplant my pepper plants now or should I wait?
Although peppers are listed as harvestable soon, do not attempt to transplant them today; the soil is likely still too cool for their sensitive root systems. Wait a week or two until soil temperatures consistently hit 60°F before moving any basil or tomato seedlings from indoors.
My lettuce and spinach are bolted early this year—should I plant more greens?
It is generally too late to sow cold-season crops like carrots or parsnips for a significant harvest, but you can try sowing them right now if your soil has warmed up above 50°F. Focus instead on heat-loving alternatives from the list like bush beans and yellow summer squash.
How do I protect my corn and sunflowers from wind damage in Milwaukee?
Secure these tall plants by staking them early, especially since the Lake Michigan breeze can snap unsecured stalks during stormy afternoons. Group your sweet corn together for better pollination while keeping sunflowers slightly separated to improve air circulation.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Milwaukee garden in SproutGuide →