Frost dates for 54417Brokaw, WI
The average last spring frost in Brokaw is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 4, 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 4
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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 4 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 6 · May 21 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Oct 31 | 173 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Brokaw
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 14 |
| 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 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| 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 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54417 is matched to the NOAA station Wausau Dwtn Ap, WI, 11.5 km away, at 1,181 ft elevation (33 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau Dwtn Ap, WI (used) | 1,181 ft | May 6 | Oct 4 |
| Merrill, WI | 1,250 ft | May 11 | Sep 30 |
| Rosholt 9 Nne, WI | 1,183 ft | May 6 | Oct 5 |
| Antigo, WI | 1,519 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Brokaw
- Wausau, WI 54401 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Schofield, WI 54476 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Rothschild, WI 54474 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Merrill, WI 54452 · last May 11, first Sep 30
- Marathon, WI 54448 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Ringle, WI 54471 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Aniwa, WI 54408 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Mosinee, WI 54455 · last May 6, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Brokaw, WI?
- For ZIP code 54417, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wausau Dwtn Ap, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Brokaw, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54417?
- 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.