Mount Sterling, WI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 7median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Mount Sterling compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mount Sterling falls between April 19 and May 18, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 20.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier 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 typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 167 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with La Crosse, WI, 64 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 12 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 7 |
| 90% (late) | October 20 |
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 Mount Sterling, WI
Mount Sterling, WI frost dates — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 7, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mount Sterling, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 12 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 23 – Oct 28 |
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 Gays Mills, WI weather station, 7 km away (elevation 689 ft (210 m)).
Frost dates near Mount Sterling
- Gays Mills May 3 · Oct 7
- Seneca May 3 · Oct 7
- Lynxville Apr 24 · Oct 17
- Ferryville May 3 · Oct 7
- Steuben Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Eastman Apr 24 · Oct 17
- Soldiers Grove May 3 · Oct 7
- Readstown May 7 · Oct 2
- Wauzeka Apr 22 · Oct 20
- De Soto Apr 22 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mount Sterling, WI?
The median last spring frost in Mount Sterling, WI is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mount Sterling, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Mount Sterling, WI?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mount Sterling, WI?
Mount Sterling, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.