Ashland, WI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 20median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season135 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Ashland compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ashland falls between May 3 and June 3, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 19 and October 15.
- The median last frost is 15 days later than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 135-day growing season is longer than 12% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is 17 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 180 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Duluth, MN, 109 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 16 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 3 |
| 50% (median) | May 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 19 |
| 50% (median) | October 2 |
| 90% (late) | October 15 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Ashland, WI
Ashland, WI frost dates — last frost May 20, first frost Oct 2, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24Sow outdoors: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 24
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ashland, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 22 – May 27 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — |
| Basil | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 6 – Jun 3 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 3 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Ashland 3s, WI weather station, 14 km away (elevation 827 ft (252 m)).
Frost dates near Ashland
- Odanah May 23 · Oct 1
- Marengo May 26 · Sep 27
- Washburn May 23 · Oct 2
- High Bridge May 26 · Sep 27
- Saxon May 23 · Oct 1
- Benoit May 23 · Sep 29
- Mellen May 26 · Sep 27
- Bayfield May 20 · Oct 8
- Upson May 23 · Oct 1
- Mason May 20 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ashland, WI?
The median last spring frost in Ashland, WI is May 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ashland, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 19.
How long is the growing season in Ashland, WI?
About 135 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ashland, WI?
Ashland, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.