Frost dates for 54153Oconto, WI
The average last spring frost in Oconto is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 · Jun 2 | Sep 11 · Sep 26 · Oct 9 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 9 · May 23 | Sep 22 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 28 · May 14 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 174 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oconto
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54153 is matched to the NOAA station Oconto 4 W, WI, 5 km away, at 660 ft elevation (63 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oconto 4 W, WI (used) | 660 ft | May 9 | Oct 6 |
| Peshtigo, WI | 600 ft | May 11 | Oct 5 |
| Marinette, WI | 589 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
| Suring, WI | 792 ft | May 14 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Oconto
- Lena, WI 54139 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Abrams, WI 54101 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Peshtigo, WI 54157 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- Oconto Falls, WI 54154 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Little Suamico, WI 54141 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Coleman, WI 54112 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Sobieski, WI 54171 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Brussels, WI 54204 · last May 6, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oconto, WI?
- For ZIP code 54153, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oconto 4 W, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Oconto, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54153?
- 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.