Frost dates for 54732Cornell, WI
The average last spring frost in Cornell is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 5 · May 18 · Jun 1 | Sep 10 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 5 · May 21 | Sep 19 · Oct 2 · Oct 17 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 9 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Oct 30 | 172 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cornell
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 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54732 is matched to the NOAA station Holcombe, WI, 7.8 km away, at 1,057 ft elevation (20 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holcombe, WI (used) | 1,057 ft | May 5 | Oct 2 |
| Jim Falls 3Nw, WI | 1,070 ft | May 1 | Oct 8 |
| Bloomer, WI | 990 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
| Stanley Wwtp, WI | 1,080 ft | May 7 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Cornell
- Holcombe, WI 54745 · last May 5, first Oct 2
- Jim Falls, WI 54748 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Cadott, WI 54727 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Conrath, WI 54731 · last May 5, first Oct 2
- Bloomer, WI 54724 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Sheldon, WI 54766 · last May 20, first Sep 23
- Boyd, WI 54726 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Gilman, WI 54433 · last May 20, first Sep 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cornell, WI?
- For ZIP code 54732, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Holcombe, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Cornell, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54732?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.