Winter, WI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 19median date
First fall frostSep 27median date
Growing season131 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Winter compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Winter falls between May 3 and June 3, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 8 and October 8.
- The median last frost is 14 days later than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 131-day growing season is longer than 9% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is 7 days later than the zone 4a median of May 12. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 187 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Eau Claire, WI, 120 km away, the last frost here is 25 days later than there and the growing season is 42 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 3 |
| 50% (median) | May 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 8 |
| 50% (median) | September 27 |
| 90% (late) | October 8 |
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 Winter, WI
Winter, WI frost dates — last frost May 19, first frost Sep 27, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23Sow outdoors: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19
Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 23
Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Winter, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 21 – May 26 | Aug 2 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — |
| Basil | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 26 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Jun 2 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 2 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 13 – Oct 18 |
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 Winter, WI weather station, 4 km away (elevation 1,355 ft (413 m)).
Frost dates near Winter
- Ojibwa May 19 · Sep 27
- Radisson May 19 · Sep 27
- Couderay frost any month
- Exeland May 19 · Sep 27
- Hayward May 23 · Sep 22
- Edgewater frost any month
- Clam Lake May 16 · Sep 30
- Stone Lake frost any month
- Tony May 7 · Oct 3
- Glen Flora May 7 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Winter, WI?
The median last spring frost in Winter, WI is May 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Winter, WI?
The median first fall frost is September 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 8.
How long is the growing season in Winter, WI?
About 131 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Winter, WI?
Winter, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.