Frost dates for 54703 — Eau Claire, WI
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostOct 4median date
Growing season149 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Eau Claire compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Eau Claire falls between April 24 and May 21, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 17.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 149-day growing season is longer than 34% 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 Rochester, MN, 117 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 10 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 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 4 |
| 90% (late) | October 17 |
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 Eau Claire, WI
Frost dates for 54703 — Eau Claire, WI — last frost May 8, first frost Oct 4, zone 4b. 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 9 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
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 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
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 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Eau Claire, 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 9 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| 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 12 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| 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 12 – Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| 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 Eau Claire Rgnl Ap, WI weather station, 4 km away (elevation 886 ft (270 m)).
ZIP codes in Eau Claire: 54701 54702 54703
Frost dates near Eau Claire
- Altoona Apr 24 · Oct 14
- Elk Mound May 8 · Oct 4
- Chippewa Falls May 8 · Oct 4
- Rock Falls Apr 24 · Oct 14
- Fall Creek May 7 · Oct 1
- Colfax May 9 · Oct 1
- Eleva May 10 · Oct 2
- Bloomer May 5 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Eau Claire, WI?
The median last spring frost in Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Eau Claire, WI?
About 149 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Eau Claire, WI?
Eau Claire, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.