What Grows in Green Bay, WI?
Green Bay near Lake Michigan has lake influence but still has cold winters and short summers.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Green Bay is in USDA Zone 5a with about 138 frost-free days, and you can grow tomatoes, beans, broccoli, kale, and more here.
Planting tips for Green Bay
Lake Michigan influence. Short season — focus on fast-maturing varieties. Plant May 10.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost October 18.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Rhubarb
Garlic
What grows well in Green Bay
Tomato
Grows well
Cherry Tomato
Grows well
Bell Pepper
Grows well
Chili Pepper
Grows well
Cucumber
Grows well
Zucchini
Grows well
Green Beans
Grows well
Lettuce
Grows well
Spinach
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Carrot
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Garlic
Grows well
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Peas
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Brussels Sprouts
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Arugula
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Leek
Grows well
Asparagus
Grows well
Rhubarb
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Green Bay, WI in?
Green Bay, WI is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Green Bay?
The average last spring frost in Green Bay is around May 8, and the first fall frost is typically October 18. Plan to move tender plants outside after May 8 and have them harvested (or protected) before October 18.
What grows well in Green Bay?
Plenty — Green Bay's USDA Zone 5a climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Green Bay's growing season?
Green Bay typically has around 138 frost-free days per year (roughly May 8 to October 18). That's enough for most annual vegetables if you start warm-season crops indoors and stick to faster-maturing varieties for anything tender.
What should I plant first in Green Bay?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Green Bay.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Green Bay?
Yes — Green Bay's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Green Bay?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around May 8), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.