Frost dates for 54460Owen, WI
The average last spring frost in Owen is May 13 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 136 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 136 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (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 11 · May 25 · Jun 9 | Sep 2 · Sep 17 · Oct 1 | 115 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 13 · May 29 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 10 | 136 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 17 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 21 | 156 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Owen
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54460 is matched to the NOAA station Owen 1E, WI, 1.4 km away, at 1,238 ft elevation (58 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owen 1E, WI (used) | 1,238 ft | May 13 | Sep 26 |
| Medford, WI | 1,470 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
| Stanley Wwtp, WI | 1,080 ft | May 7 | Oct 3 |
| Marshfield Muni Ap, WI | 1,255 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Owen
- Withee, WI 54498 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Curtiss, WI 54422 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Dorchester, WI 54425 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Colby, WI 54421 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Abbotsford, WI 54405 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Lublin, WI 54447 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Thorp, WI 54771 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Unity, WI 54488 · last May 5, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Owen, WI?
- For ZIP code 54460, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Owen 1E, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Owen, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54460?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 136 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.