Ephraim, WI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 14median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Ephraim compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ephraim falls between April 28 and May 28, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 157-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is 13 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 155 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Green Bay, WI, 100 km away, the last frost here is 14 days later than there and the growing season is 5 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 28 |
| 50% (median) | May 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 Ephraim, WI
Ephraim, WI frost dates — last frost May 14, first frost Oct 18, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 21Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 18
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ephraim, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 16 – May 21 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — |
| Basil | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 9 – May 21 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | — | May 21 – Jun 4 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | — | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
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 Ephraim 1ne-Wwtp, WI weather station, 2 km away (elevation 732 ft (223 m)).
Frost dates near Ephraim
- Sister Bay May 14 · Oct 18
- Fish Creek May 14 · Oct 18
- Baileys Harbor May 14 · Oct 18
- Ellison Bay May 14 · Oct 18
- Egg Harbor May 8 · Oct 13
- Washington Island May 15 · Oct 14
- Sturgeon Bay May 8 · Oct 13
- Marinette May 4 · Oct 11
- Porterfield May 4 · Oct 11
- Peshtigo May 11 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ephraim, WI?
The median last spring frost in Ephraim, WI is May 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ephraim, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Ephraim, WI?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ephraim, WI?
Ephraim, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.