Frost dates for 54611Alma Center, WI
The average last spring frost in Alma Center is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 146 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 146 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 3 · May 17 · May 30 | Sep 9 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 7 · May 20 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 146 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 26 · May 11 | Sep 25 · Oct 11 · Oct 26 | 166 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alma Center
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54611 is matched to the NOAA station Augusta Rs, WI, 30.8 km away, at 960 ft elevation (31 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta Rs, WI (used) | 960 ft | May 7 | Oct 1 |
| Blair, WI | 855 ft | May 9 | Oct 1 |
| Neillsville 3Ese, WI | 1,080 ft | May 10 | Oct 1 |
| Mather 3 Nw, WI | 978 ft | May 6 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Alma Center
- Hixton, WI 54635 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Merrillan, WI 54754 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Humbird, WI 54746 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Fairchild, WI 54741 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Black River Falls, WI 54615 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Pigeon Falls, WI 54760 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Taylor, WI 54659 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Osseo, WI 54758 · last May 7, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alma Center, WI?
- For ZIP code 54611, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Augusta Rs, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Alma Center, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54611?
- 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.