Wausau, WI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 4median date
Growing season151 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Wausau compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wausau falls between April 24 and May 21, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 18.
- The median last frost is 1 day 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 typical for zone 4b, where the median is May 8.
- The weather station records an average of 163 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Appleton, WI, 120 km away, the last frost here is 2 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 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 4 |
| 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 Wausau, WI
Wausau, WI frost dates — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 4, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wausau, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 8 – May 13 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 20 – Oct 25 |
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 Wausau Dwtn Ap, WI weather station, 4 km away (elevation 1,181 ft (360 m)).
ZIP codes in Wausau: 54401 54402 54403
Frost dates near Wausau
- Rothschild May 6 · Oct 4
- Schofield May 6 · Oct 4
- Brokaw May 6 · Oct 4
- Marathon May 6 · Oct 4
- Mosinee May 6 · Oct 4
- Ringle May 6 · Oct 4
- Aniwa May 6 · Oct 4
- Hatley May 6 · Oct 5
- Merrill May 11 · Sep 30
- Athens May 6 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wausau, WI?
The median last spring frost in Wausau, WI is May 6. 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 Wausau, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Wausau, WI?
About 151 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Wausau, WI?
Wausau, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.