Frost dates for 54761Plum City, WI
The average last spring frost in Plum City is May 13 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 139 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 192 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 3 | Sep 6 · Sep 20 · Oct 4 | 122 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 11 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 17 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 159 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Plum City
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54761 is matched to the NOAA station Ellsworth 1E, WI, 24.1 km away, at 1,030 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellsworth 1E, WI (used) | 1,030 ft | May 13 | Sep 29 |
| Durand, WI | 705 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| Menomonie, WI | 780 ft | May 9 | Oct 1 |
| Red Wing Dam 3, MN | 677 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Plum City
- Maiden Rock, WI 54750 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Arkansaw, WI 54721 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Elmwood, WI 54740 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Stockholm, WI 54769 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Eau Galle, WI 54737 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Frontenac, MN 55026 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Pepin, WI 54759 · last May 7, first Oct 2
- Durand, WI 54736 · last May 10, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Plum City, WI?
- For ZIP code 54761, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ellsworth 1E, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Plum City, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54761?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 139 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.