Frost dates for 54485Summit Lake, WI
The average last spring frost in Summit Lake is May 22 and the average first fall frost is September 24, giving a typical growing season of about 125 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 22
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 24
- Growing season
- 125 days
Safer after Jun 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 207 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 21 · Jun 3 · Jun 18 | Aug 31 · Sep 13 · Sep 27 | 102 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 22 · Jun 4 | Sep 9 · Sep 24 · Oct 7 | 125 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 26 · May 8 · May 24 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 146 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Summit Lake
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 21 – Jun 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jun 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Aug 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – May 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Oct 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54485 is matched to the NOAA station Rhinelander, WI, 28.9 km away, at 1,572 ft elevation (164 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhinelander, WI (used) | 1,572 ft | May 22 | Sep 24 |
| North Pelican, WI | 1,610 ft | Jun 3 | Sep 18 |
| Antigo, WI | 1,519 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
| Rhinelander 4Ne, WI | 1,586 ft | May 23 | Sep 23 |
Frost dates near Summit Lake
- Elcho, WI 54428 · last May 22, first Sep 24
- Pelican Lake, WI 54463 · last May 22, first Sep 24
- Pearson, WI 54462 · last May 19, first Sep 29
- Deerbrook, WI 54424 · last May 14, first Sep 30
- Gleason, WI 54435 · last May 22, first Sep 24
- Pickerel, WI 54465 · last May 19, first Sep 29
- Bryant, WI 54418 · last May 14, first Sep 30
- Crandon, WI 54520 · last May 19, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Summit Lake, WI?
- For ZIP code 54485, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rhinelander, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 4.
- When is the first frost in Summit Lake, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54485?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 125 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.