Frost dates for 54912 — Appleton, WI
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season155 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Appleton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Appleton falls between April 21 and May 20, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 23 and October 21.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Wisconsin median of May 5.
- Its 155-day growing season is longer than 49% of the 749 Wisconsin places with a regular frost season (state median 155 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 157 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Green Bay, WI, 36 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 7 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 23 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 21 |
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 Appleton, WI
Frost dates for 54912 — Appleton, WI — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 6, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Appleton, WI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 22 – Oct 27 |
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 Appleton, WI weather station, 16 km away (elevation 791 ft (241 m)).
ZIP codes in Appleton: 54911 54912 54913 54914 54915 54919
Frost dates near Appleton
- Freedom May 4 · Oct 6
- Black Creek May 4 · Oct 6
- Shiocton May 4 · Oct 6
- Greenville May 4 · Oct 6
- Seymour May 1 · Oct 11
- Hortonville May 4 · Oct 6
- Nichols May 4 · Oct 6
- Little Chute May 4 · Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Appleton, WI?
The median last spring frost in Appleton, WI is May 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Appleton, WI?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 23.
How long is the growing season in Appleton, WI?
About 155 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Appleton, WI?
Appleton, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.