Frost dates for 54532Heafford Junction, WI
The average last spring frost in Heafford Junction is May 10 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 146 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 146 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (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 5 | Sep 11 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 10 · May 27 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 146 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 30 · Oct 16 · Nov 1 | 166 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Heafford Junction
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54532 is matched to the NOAA station Rice Rsvr Tomahawk-2, WI, 1.7 km away, at 1,460 ft elevation (23 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Rsvr Tomahawk-2, WI (used) | 1,460 ft | May 10 | Oct 4 |
| Willow Rsvr, WI | 1,532 ft | May 13 | Oct 3 |
| Rhinelander, WI | 1,572 ft | May 22 | Sep 24 |
| Rhinelander Oneida Ap, WI | 1,599 ft | May 26 | Sep 23 |
Frost dates near Heafford Junction
- Tomahawk, WI 54487 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Harshaw, WI 54529 · last May 26, first Sep 23
- Tripoli, WI 54564 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Irma, WI 54442 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Mc Naughton, WI 54543 · last May 26, first Sep 23
- Hazelhurst, WI 54531 · last May 23, first Sep 27
- Gleason, WI 54435 · last May 22, first Sep 24
- Lake Tomahawk, WI 54539 · last May 23, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Heafford Junction, WI?
- For ZIP code 54532, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rice Rsvr Tomahawk-2, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Heafford Junction, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54532?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 146 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.