Babcock, WI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season146 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Babcock compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Babcock falls between April 26 and May 22, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 19 and October 13.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 146-day growing season is longer than 26% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 4b, where the median is May 8.
- The weather station records an average of 163 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with La Crosse, WI, 102 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 23 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 19 |
| 50% (median) | October 1 |
| 90% (late) | October 13 |
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 Babcock, WI
Babcock, WI frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost Oct 1, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Babcock, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 10 – May 15 | Aug 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Basil | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
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 Wisconsin Rapids Alexander Fld, WI weather station, 22 km away (elevation 1,020 ft (311 m)).
Frost dates near Babcock
- Pittsville May 5 · Oct 5
- Nekoosa May 8 · Oct 1
- Port Edwards May 8 · Oct 1
- Vesper May 9 · Sep 30
- Wisconsin Rapids May 8 · Oct 1
- Mather May 6 · Oct 3
- Arpin May 5 · Oct 5
- Necedah May 17 · Sep 25
- Rudolph May 9 · Sep 30
- Arkdale May 9 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Babcock, WI?
The median last spring frost in Babcock, WI is May 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Babcock, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 19.
How long is the growing season in Babcock, WI?
About 146 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Babcock, WI?
Babcock, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.