Bayfield, WI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 20median date
First fall frostOct 8median date
Growing season141 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Bayfield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bayfield falls between May 2 and June 5, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 15 days later than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 141-day growing season is longer than 18% 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 177 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Duluth, MN, 99 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 2 |
| 50% (median) | May 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 8 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Bayfield, WI
Bayfield, WI frost dates — last frost May 20, first frost Oct 8, 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 13 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
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 16 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
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 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 24
Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bayfield, 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 13 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| 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 16 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 27 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| 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 16 – Jul 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 6 – Jun 3 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 3 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 24 – Oct 29 |
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 Bayfield 6 N, WI weather station, 5 km away (elevation 820 ft (250 m)).
Frost dates near Bayfield
- La Pointe May 20 · Oct 9
- Washburn May 23 · Oct 2
- Cornucopia May 23 · Oct 2
- Herbster May 31 · Oct 2
- Ashland May 20 · Oct 2
- Odanah May 23 · Oct 1
- Benoit May 23 · Sep 29
- Port Wing May 31 · Oct 2
- Marengo May 26 · Sep 27
- Saxon May 23 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bayfield, WI?
The median last spring frost in Bayfield, WI is May 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bayfield, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Bayfield, WI?
About 141 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bayfield, WI?
Bayfield, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.