Iola, WI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season151 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Iola compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Iola falls between April 24 and May 21, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 23 and October 18.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 151-day growing season is longer than 38% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 162 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Appleton, WI, 60 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 4 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 24 |
| 50% (median) | May 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 23 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 18 |
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 Iola, WI
Iola, WI frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost Oct 6, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Iola, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 10 – May 15 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Basil | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 22 – Oct 27 |
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 Waupaca, WI weather station, 19 km away (elevation 837 ft (255 m)).
ZIP codes in Iola: 54945 54990
Frost dates near Iola
- Scandinavia May 8 · Oct 6
- Amherst Junction May 4 · Oct 7
- Nelsonville May 4 · Oct 7
- Big Falls May 4 · Oct 6
- Ogdensburg May 8 · Oct 6
- Amherst May 8 · Oct 6
- Manawa May 8 · Oct 6
- Waupaca May 8 · Oct 6
- King May 8 · Oct 6
- Rosholt May 6 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Iola, WI?
The median last spring frost in Iola, WI is May 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Iola, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 23.
How long is the growing season in Iola, WI?
About 151 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Iola, WI?
Iola, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.