Frost dates for 54738Eleva, WI
The average last spring frost in Eleva is May 10 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 144 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 144 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (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 7 · May 20 · Jun 2 | Sep 9 · Sep 23 · Oct 5 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 10 · May 25 | Sep 19 · Oct 2 · Oct 13 | 144 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Sep 27 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 163 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Eleva
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 12 |
| 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 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 12 |
| 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 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54738 is matched to the NOAA station Mondovi, WI, 15.6 km away, at 830 ft elevation (141 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mondovi, WI (used) | 830 ft | May 10 | Oct 2 |
| Eau Claire 3Sw, WI | 880 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 14 |
| Augusta Rs, WI | 960 ft | May 7 | Oct 1 |
| Eau Claire Rgnl Ap, WI | 885 ft | May 8 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Eleva
- Strum, WI 54770 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Mondovi, WI 54755 · last May 10, first Oct 2
- Eau Claire, WI 54701 · last May 8, first Oct 4
- Gilmanton, WI 54743 · last May 10, first Oct 2
- Osseo, WI 54758 · last May 7, first Oct 1
- Rock Falls, WI 54764 · last May 10, first Oct 2
- Independence, WI 54747 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Altoona, WI 54720 · last May 8, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Eleva, WI?
- For ZIP code 54738, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mondovi, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Eleva, 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 54738?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 144 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.