Frost dates for 53589Stoughton, WI
The average last spring frost in Stoughton is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 26 · May 10 · May 25 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 5 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 185 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stoughton
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 | Mar 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53589 is matched to the NOAA station Stoughton, WI, 2.2 km away, at 840 ft elevation (20 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stoughton, WI (used) | 840 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 11 |
| Uw Arboretum - Madison, WI | 870 ft | May 1 | Oct 9 |
| Madison Dane Rgnl Ap, WI | 866 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| Charmany Farm, WI | 1,046 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Stoughton
- Mc Farland, WI 53558 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Oregon, WI 53575 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Brooklyn, WI 53521 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Madison, WI 53784 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Edgerton, WI 53534 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Cottage Grove, WI 53527 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Cambridge, WI 53523 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Evansville, WI 53536 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stoughton, WI?
- For ZIP code 53589, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stoughton, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Stoughton, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 53589?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.