Frost dates for 53926Dalton, WI
The average last spring frost in Dalton is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 3 · May 17 · Jun 1 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 6 · May 22 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 16 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 11 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Oct 29 | 171 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dalton
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53926 is matched to the NOAA station Dalton, WI, 2 km away, at 860 ft elevation (23 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton, WI (used) | 860 ft | May 6 | Oct 2 |
| Montello, WI | 786 ft | May 3 | Oct 5 |
| Markesan, WI | 861 ft | May 8 | Oct 2 |
| Portage Wwtp, WI | 785 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Dalton
- Kingston, WI 53939 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Marquette, WI 53947 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Cambria, WI 53923 · last May 2, first Oct 9
- Friesland, WI 53935 · last May 2, first Oct 9
- Markesan, WI 53946 · last May 8, first Oct 2
- Montello, WI 53949 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Pardeeville, WI 53954 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
- Princeton, WI 54968 · last May 3, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dalton, WI?
- For ZIP code 53926, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dalton, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Dalton, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 53926?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.