Frost dates for 53185Waterford, WI
The average last spring frost in Waterford is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 2 · May 17 · May 31 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 136 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 5 · May 23 | Sep 24 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 24 · May 11 | Oct 3 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waterford
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53185 is matched to the NOAA station Burlington, WI, 13.3 km away, at 751 ft elevation (40 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, WI (used) | 751 ft | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Rochester Wwtp, WI | 783 ft | May 5 | Oct 10 |
| Union Grove, WI | 730 ft | May 5 | Oct 8 |
| Paddock Lake, WI | 775 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Waterford
- Rochester, WI 53167 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Honey Creek, WI 53138 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Kansasville, WI 53139 · last May 5, first Oct 8
- Burlington, WI 53105 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Big Bend, WI 53103 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Union Grove, WI 53182 · last May 5, first Oct 8
- Muskego, WI 53150 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Franksville, WI 53126 · last May 5, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waterford, WI?
- For ZIP code 53185, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Burlington, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Waterford, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 53185?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.