Cochrane, WI frost dates
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season176 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Cochrane compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cochrane falls between April 9 and May 6, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 176-day growing season is longer than 91% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is 15 days earlier than the zone 4b median of May 8. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 140 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rochester, MN, 61 km away, the last frost here is 7 days earlier than there and the growing season is 17 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Cochrane, WI
Cochrane, WI frost dates — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 16, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cochrane, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
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 Minnesota City Dam, MN weather station, 12 km away (elevation 669 ft (204 m)).
Frost dates near Cochrane
- Fountain City Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Alma Apr 28 · Oct 14
- Arcadia May 5 · Oct 5
- Gilmanton May 10 · Oct 2
- Dodge May 5 · Oct 5
- Nelson Apr 28 · Oct 14
- Mondovi May 10 · Oct 2
- Independence May 9 · Oct 1
- Pepin May 7 · Oct 2
- Galesville Apr 29 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cochrane, WI?
The median last spring frost in Cochrane, WI is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cochrane, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Cochrane, WI?
About 176 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cochrane, WI?
Cochrane, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.