Frost dates for 54648Norwalk, WI
The average last spring frost in Norwalk is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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) | Apr 24 · May 7 · May 21 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 27 · May 11 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · Apr 30 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Norwalk
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 | Mar 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54648 is matched to the NOAA station Cashton, WI, 10.9 km away, at 1,370 ft elevation (28 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashton, WI (used) | 1,370 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 14 |
| Cashton 3Nnw, WI | 939 ft | May 6 | Oct 3 |
| Sparta, WI | 782 ft | May 9 | Oct 1 |
| Hillsboro 2Sw, WI | 1,043 ft | May 12 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Norwalk
- Cashton, WI 54619 · last Apr 27, first Oct 14
- Ontario, WI 54651 · last May 5, first Oct 4
- Wilton, WI 54670 · last May 5, first Oct 4
- Sparta, WI 54656 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Rockland, WI 54653 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Westby, WI 54667 · last May 7, first Oct 2
- Tunnel City, WI 54662 · last May 6, first Oct 3
- La Farge, WI 54639 · last May 5, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Norwalk, WI?
- For ZIP code 54648, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cashton, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Norwalk, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54648?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.