Bancroft, WI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 10median date
First fall frostOct 3median date
Growing season146 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Bancroft compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bancroft falls between April 25 and May 24, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 16.
- The median last frost is 5 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 160 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Oshkosh, WI, 80 km away, the last frost here is 16 days later than there and the growing season is 33 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 25 |
| 50% (median) | May 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 3 |
| 90% (late) | October 16 |
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 Bancroft, WI
Bancroft, WI frost dates — last frost May 10, first frost Oct 3, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 14
Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bancroft, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 12 – May 17 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Basil | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 5 – May 17 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 24 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 19 – Oct 24 |
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 Hancock Exp Farm, WI weather station, 21 km away (elevation 1,093 ft (333 m)).
Frost dates near Bancroft
- Plainfield May 10 · Oct 3
- Almond May 10 · Oct 3
- Plover May 4 · Oct 7
- Hancock May 10 · Oct 3
- Amherst May 8 · Oct 6
- Stevens Point May 4 · Oct 7
- Port Edwards May 8 · Oct 1
- Nelsonville May 4 · Oct 7
- Wisconsin Rapids May 8 · Oct 1
- Nekoosa May 8 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bancroft, WI?
The median last spring frost in Bancroft, WI is May 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bancroft, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Bancroft, WI?
About 146 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bancroft, WI?
Bancroft, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.