Frost dates for 54514Butternut, WI
The average last spring frost in Butternut is May 22 and the average first fall frost is September 24, giving a typical growing season of about 126 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 22
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 24
- Growing season
- 126 days
Safer after Jun 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 10 (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 20 | Aug 30 · Sep 14 · Sep 27 | 101 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 22 · Jun 4 | Sep 10 · Sep 24 · Oct 8 | 126 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 25 · May 7 · May 23 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 20 | 149 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Butternut
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 54514 is matched to the NOAA station Butternut 3Sw, WI, 6.2 km away, at 1,570 ft elevation (61 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butternut 3Sw, WI (used) | 1,570 ft | May 22 | Sep 24 |
| Park Falls Dnr Hq, WI | 1,525 ft | May 15 | Sep 28 |
| Mellen 4 Ne, WI | 1,300 ft | May 26 | Sep 27 |
| Clam Lake 4W, WI | 1,498 ft | May 16 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Butternut
- Park Falls, WI 54552 · last May 15, first Sep 28
- Glidden, WI 54527 · last May 22, first Sep 24
- Fifield, WI 54524 · last May 15, first Sep 28
- Mellen, WI 54546 · last May 26, first Sep 27
- Mercer, WI 54547 · last May 25, first Sep 21
- Phillips, WI 54555 · last May 23, first Sep 23
- Clam Lake, WI 54517 · last May 16, first Sep 30
- Upson, WI 54565 · last May 24, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Butternut, WI?
- For ZIP code 54514, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Butternut 3Sw, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 4.
- When is the first frost in Butternut, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54514?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 126 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.