Frost dates for 54515Catawba, WI
The average last spring frost in Catawba is May 23 and the average first fall frost is September 23, giving a typical growing season of about 124 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 23
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 23
- Growing season
- 124 days
Safer after Jun 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 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 20 · Jun 2 · Jun 22 | Aug 23 · Sep 10 · Sep 25 | 98 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 23 · Jun 6 | Sep 5 · Sep 23 · Oct 5 | 124 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 9 · May 24 | Sep 19 · Oct 3 · Oct 18 | 146 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Catawba
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 22 – Jun 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jun 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 14 – Jun 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jul 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Aug 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – May 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 13 – Oct 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54515 is matched to the NOAA station Prentice #2, WI, 17.1 km away, at 1,540 ft elevation (129 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prentice #2, WI (used) | 1,540 ft | May 23 | Sep 23 |
| Jump Rvr 3E, WI | 1,265 ft | May 20 | Sep 23 |
| Big Falls Hydro, WI | 1,205 ft | May 7 | Oct 3 |
| Medford, WI | 1,470 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Catawba
- Kennan, WI 54537 · last May 23, first Sep 23
- Hawkins, WI 54530 · last May 20, first Sep 23
- Prentice, WI 54556 · last May 23, first Sep 23
- Ogema, WI 54459 · last May 23, first Sep 23
- Phillips, WI 54555 · last May 23, first Sep 23
- Westboro, WI 54490 · last May 23, first Sep 23
- Glen Flora, WI 54526 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Jump River, WI 54434 · last May 20, first Sep 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Catawba, WI?
- For ZIP code 54515, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Prentice #2, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 6.
- When is the first frost in Catawba, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54515?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 124 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.