Frost dates for 53581Richland Center, WI
The average last spring frost in Richland Center is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 19 (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 1 · May 16 · May 29 | Sep 17 · Sep 29 · Oct 9 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 18 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 25 · May 9 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 174 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richland Center
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 16 |
| 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 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 16 |
| 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 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53581 is matched to the NOAA station Richland Ctr, WI, 5.1 km away, at 728 ft elevation (315 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richland Ctr, WI (used) | 728 ft | May 5 | Oct 6 |
| Lone Rock Tri Co Ap, WI | 717 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| Hillsboro 2Sw, WI | 1,043 ft | May 12 | Sep 29 |
| Boscobel Ap, WI | 672 ft | May 3 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Richland Center
- Sextonville, WI 53584 · last May 5, first Oct 6
- Muscoda, WI 53573 · last May 5, first Oct 6
- Cazenovia, WI 53924 · last May 5, first Oct 4
- Blue River, WI 53518 · last May 3, first Oct 7
- Gotham, WI 53540 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Hillpoint, WI 53937 · last May 2, first Oct 7
- Lone Rock, WI 53556 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Viola, WI 54664 · last May 3, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richland Center, WI?
- For ZIP code 53581, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Richland Ctr, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Richland Center, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. 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 53581?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.