Frost dates for 53190Whitewater, WI
The average last spring frost in Whitewater is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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) | Apr 30 · May 16 · Jun 1 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 20 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 5 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Whitewater
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53190 is matched to the NOAA station Whitewater, WI, 3 km away, at 875 ft elevation (25 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitewater, WI (used) | 875 ft | May 2 | Oct 9 |
| Ft Atkinson, WI | 800 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 13 |
| Jefferson Wwtp, WI | 783 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
| Sullivan 3Se, WI | 933 ft | May 3 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Whitewater
- Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Palmyra, WI 53156 · last May 2, first Oct 9
- Milton, WI 53563 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Jefferson, WI 53549 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Avalon, WI 53505 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Helenville, WI 53137 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Elkhorn, WI 53121 · last May 2, first Oct 9
- Sullivan, WI 53178 · last May 3, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Whitewater, WI?
- For ZIP code 53190, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Whitewater, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Whitewater, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 53190?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.