Frost dates for 54812Barron, WI
The average last spring frost in Barron is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 145 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 145 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 19 · Jun 2 | Sep 8 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 19 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 145 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 165 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Barron
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54812 is matched to the NOAA station Rice Lake, WI, 6.3 km away, at 1,103 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Lake, WI (used) | 1,103 ft | May 8 | Oct 2 |
| Cumberland, WI | 1,240 ft | May 5 | Oct 4 |
| Ridgeland 1Nne, WI | 1,080 ft | May 10 | Sep 29 |
| Weyerhaeuser 1N, WI | 1,195 ft | May 9 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Barron
- Cameron, WI 54822 · last May 8, first Oct 2
- Almena, WI 54805 · last May 5, first Oct 4
- Rice Lake, WI 54868 · last May 8, first Oct 2
- Dallas, WI 54733 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Chetek, WI 54728 · last May 8, first Oct 2
- Prairie Farm, WI 54762 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Cumberland, WI 54829 · last May 5, first Oct 4
- Comstock, WI 54826 · last May 5, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Barron, WI?
- For ZIP code 54812, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rice Lake, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Barron, 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 54812?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 145 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.