Frost dates for 54601 — La Crosse, WI
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How La Crosse compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in La Crosse falls between April 12 and May 12, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 8 days earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 169-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier 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 148 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rochester, MN, 103 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 10 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 La Crosse, WI
Frost dates for 54601 — La Crosse, WI — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 13, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in La Crosse, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 La Crosse Wfo, WI weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,306 ft (398 m)).
ZIP codes in La Crosse: 54601 54602 54603
Frost dates near La Crosse
- Onalaska Apr 23 · Oct 17
- Stoddard Apr 22 · Oct 17
- West Salem Apr 27 · Oct 13
- Chaseburg Apr 22 · Oct 17
- Coon Valley Apr 27 · Oct 13
- Holmen Apr 23 · Oct 17
- Bangor May 9 · Oct 1
- Genoa Apr 22 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in La Crosse, WI?
The median last spring frost in La Crosse, WI is April 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in La Crosse, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in La Crosse, WI?
About 169 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is La Crosse, WI?
La Crosse, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.