What Eats Spinach in Wisconsin, and When
In Wisconsin, the thing that eats spinach is the calendar. Long days push it to flower, warmth above 75 F stops good growth and turns leaves bitter, warm…
Wisconsin
Home and garden guidance for Wisconsin: planting dates for its climate zones, the codes that apply locally, and the rebates residents can actually claim.
Gardening in Wisconsin
Everything we have worked out for Wisconsin: what to plant and when, which varieties finish in time, the pests that actually turn up here, and the jobs that pay off month by month. We also cover the rest of the property, from lawns and soil to home care and energy, because a garden rarely stops at the vegetable bed.
The numbers first, because everything else follows from them. Measured at the weather station in Milwaukee, the last spring freeze runs April 16 to April 29 and the first fall freeze runs October 17 to October 29, USDA zones 3b-6a, 2,808 growing degree days in the year.
Garlic does well: 26.1 weeks below 40 °F, comfortably past the six it needs to form a proper head.
Elsewhere on the property in Wisconsin: the pests that turn up here.
Figures from NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals. A state is not one climate: elevation, a large lake or the coast can move these dates by two weeks either way, so check your own county with the extension service before you spend money.
What Eats Pumpkin in Wisconsin, and When
The thing that does the most damage to a Wisconsin pumpkin crop is the calendar.
How High to Mow a Lawn in Wisconsin
Most Wisconsin lawns are cool-season grass, and most of them do best at 2 to 3 inches. Tall fescue wants 3 to 3.5 inches.
When to Plant Grass Seed in Wisconsin
Sow cool-season grass seed in late summer, and finish about 45 days before your first fall freeze.
When to Dethatch a Lawn in Wisconsin
Most Wisconsin lawns do not need dethatching. Measure first: if the thatch layer is under 0.5 inch, leave the lawn alone.
Heat Pump or Gas Furnace in Wisconsin: Which Costs Less to Run?
In Wisconsin, a high-efficiency gas furnace costs less to run than a heat pump, and electric baseboard costs the most of the three.
When to Dig Up Dahlias, Cannas and Gladiolus in Wisconsin
Dig dahlias, cannas and gladiolus after the first frost blackens the foliage, within a week or two of it.
When to Winterize Sprinklers and Outdoor Faucets in Wisconsin
A sprinkler system left full going into a Wisconsin winter is a bet against the thermometer, and the thermometer wins.
How Late Can You Plant Trees and Shrubs in Fall in Wisconsin?
Plant trees and shrubs between September 5 and September 17 in Milwaukee and you are on the safe side of the line.
When to Mulch Strawberries and Perennials for Winter in Wisconsin
In Milwaukee, winter mulch for strawberries and perennials goes on after the first fall frost, not with it.