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When to Plant Microgreens in Kewaunee County, WI

Kewaunee County, Wisconsin Zone 5b May

May to-do list for Kewaunee County, Wisconsin

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost May 3
Avg. first frost October 11
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Transplant microgreens outside

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

  2. It's harvest week for microgreens

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Looking ahead to June
  • Starting indoors: microgreens
  • First harvests: microgreens

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Microgreens are young seedlings of vegetables and herbs harvested at the cotyledon or first true leaf stage. They pack concentrated flavors and nutrients in a tiny package.

Kewaunee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 950 feet, Kewaunee County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Microgreens to ensure they mature before fall.

Kewaunee County, WI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Kewaunee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jun 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jun 24

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Kewaunee County

How your county's soil matches Microgreens's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.1) overlaps with Microgreens's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Kewaunee County is excellent for Microgreens — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Microgreens will thrive.

How to Plant Microgreens

0.5"
Planting Depth
2"
Between Plants
6"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Microgreens

31
successive plantings in your 161-day season

Sow every 0.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Microgreens

Microgreens needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Microgreens Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Kewaunee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Microgreens Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Microgreens needs ~161 GDD — county provides 1,851 GDD Excellent fit

Microgreens Planting Timeline — Kewaunee County, WI

Microgreens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 – May 17
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 – May 10
Harvest May 10 May 10 – Jun 7
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 – Aug 16

Plant 0.5" deep · 2" apart · Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
June Harvest
July
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

7–21 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

161 days in Kewaunee County

Growing Tips for Microgreens in Kewaunee County

Direct sow Microgreens outdoors after May 03 in Kewaunee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 161.0-day season in Kewaunee County allows multiple plantings of Microgreens. Sow every 3.0 days for continuous harvest.

General growing tips

Sow seeds densely on shallow trays of moist growing medium. Cover until germination, then provide light. Harvest with scissors when 1-3 inches tall. Grow year-round indoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Microgreens in Kewaunee County, WI?

Kewaunee County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Microgreens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kewaunee County, WI?

Kewaunee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 11.

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Your Kewaunee County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Kewaunee County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Kewaunee County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.