Frost dates for 54451Medford, WI
The average last spring frost in Medford is May 11 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 141 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 141 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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 8 · May 23 · Jun 6 | Sep 7 · Sep 22 · Oct 4 | 122 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 11 · May 26 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 141 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 15 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 160 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Medford
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 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54451 is matched to the NOAA station Medford, WI, 2.3 km away, at 1,470 ft elevation (30 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medford, WI (used) | 1,470 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
| Owen 1E, WI | 1,238 ft | May 13 | Sep 26 |
| Jump Rvr 3E, WI | 1,265 ft | May 20 | Sep 23 |
| Prentice #2, WI | 1,540 ft | May 23 | Sep 23 |
Frost dates near Medford
- Stetsonville, WI 54480 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Dorchester, WI 54425 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Abbotsford, WI 54405 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Rib Lake, WI 54470 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Westboro, WI 54490 · last May 23, first Sep 23
- Curtiss, WI 54422 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Owen, WI 54460 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Colby, WI 54421 · last May 13, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Medford, WI?
- For ZIP code 54451, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Medford, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Medford, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54451?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 141 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.