Beaver Dam, WI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season160 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Beaver Dam compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Beaver Dam falls between April 19 and May 16, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 23.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 160-day growing season is longer than 63% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 152 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Madison, WI, 63 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 90% (late) | October 23 |
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 Beaver Dam, WI
Beaver Dam, WI frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 9, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Beaver Dam, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 25 – Oct 30 |
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 Beaver Dam Wwtp, WI weather station, 2 km away (elevation 860 ft (262 m)).
Frost dates near Beaver Dam
- Burnett May 1 · Oct 10
- Lowell May 2 · Oct 9
- Fox Lake May 1 · Oct 11
- Randolph May 1 · Oct 11
- Juneau May 1 · Oct 10
- Horicon May 1 · Oct 10
- Reeseville May 2 · Oct 9
- Fall River May 1 · Oct 11
- Clyman Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Waupun May 1 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Beaver Dam, WI?
The median last spring frost in Beaver Dam, WI is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Beaver Dam, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Beaver Dam, WI?
About 160 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Beaver Dam, WI?
Beaver Dam, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.