Bruce, WI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 9median date
First fall frostSep 29median date
Growing season143 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Bruce compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bruce falls between April 26 and May 27, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 14.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 143-day growing season is longer than 20% 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 176 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Eau Claire, WI, 73 km away, the last frost here is 15 days later than there and the growing season is 30 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | September 29 |
| 90% (late) | October 14 |
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 Bruce, WI
Bruce, WI frost dates — last frost May 9, first frost Sep 29, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 13
Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bruce, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 11 – May 16 | Aug 4 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Basil | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 4 – May 16 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
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 Weyerhaeuser 1n, WI weather station, 10 km away (elevation 1,194 ft (364 m)).
Frost dates near Bruce
- Weyerhaeuser May 9 · Sep 29
- Ladysmith May 27 · Sep 22
- Conrath May 27 · Sep 22
- Tony May 7 · Oct 3
- Holcombe May 5 · Oct 2
- Exeland May 19 · Sep 27
- Mikana May 9 · Sep 29
- New Auburn May 5 · Oct 3
- Birchwood frost any month
- Chetek May 8 · Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bruce, WI?
The median last spring frost in Bruce, WI is May 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bruce, WI?
The median first fall frost is September 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Bruce, WI?
About 143 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bruce, WI?
Bruce, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.