Frost dates for 53946Markesan, WI
The average last spring frost in Markesan is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 144 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 144 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 5 · May 20 · May 31 | Sep 10 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 126 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 19 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 144 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 13 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 26 | 165 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Markesan
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 53946 is matched to the NOAA station Markesan, WI, 1.4 km away, at 861 ft elevation (123 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Markesan, WI (used) | 861 ft | May 8 | Oct 2 |
| Dalton, WI | 860 ft | May 6 | Oct 2 |
| Montello, WI | 786 ft | May 3 | Oct 5 |
| Ripon 5 Ne, WI | 930 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Markesan
- Kingston, WI 53939 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Marquette, WI 53947 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Fairwater, WI 53931 · last May 8, first Oct 2
- Friesland, WI 53935 · last May 2, first Oct 9
- Green Lake, WI 54941 · last May 1, first Oct 8
- Dalton, WI 53926 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Fox Lake, WI 53933 · last May 2, first Oct 9
- Princeton, WI 54968 · last May 3, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Markesan, WI?
- For ZIP code 53946, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Markesan, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Markesan, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 53946?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 144 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.