Frost dates for 54002Baldwin, WI
The average last spring frost in Baldwin is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 148 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 148 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (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 3 · May 16 · May 29 | Sep 10 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 6 · May 21 | Sep 18 · Oct 2 · Oct 17 | 148 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 26 · May 12 | Sep 26 · Oct 12 · Oct 28 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Baldwin
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 54002 is matched to the NOAA station Baldwin, WI, 2 km away, at 1,100 ft elevation (29 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin, WI (used) | 1,100 ft | May 6 | Oct 2 |
| River Falls, WI | 940 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
| Ellsworth 1E, WI | 1,030 ft | May 13 | Sep 29 |
| Stillwater 1 Se, MN | 710 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Baldwin
- Hammond, WI 54015 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Woodville, WI 54028 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Wilson, WI 54027 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Roberts, WI 54023 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Spring Valley, WI 54767 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Glenwood City, WI 54013 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- New Richmond, WI 54017 · last May 5, first Oct 4
- Beldenville, WI 54003 · last May 13, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Baldwin, WI?
- For ZIP code 54002, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Baldwin, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Baldwin, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54002?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 148 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.