Frost dates for 54819Bruce, WI
The average last spring frost in Bruce is May 9 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 140 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 140 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (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 7 · May 22 · Jun 6 | Sep 7 · Sep 21 · Oct 3 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 9 · May 27 | Sep 14 · Sep 29 · Oct 14 | 140 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 28 · May 15 | Sep 24 · Oct 10 · Oct 26 | 165 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bruce
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54819 is matched to the NOAA station Weyerhaeuser 1N, WI, 10 km away, at 1,195 ft elevation (93 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weyerhaeuser 1N, WI (used) | 1,195 ft | May 9 | Sep 29 |
| Ladysmith 3W, WI | 1,130 ft | May 27 | Sep 22 |
| Holcombe, WI | 1,057 ft | May 5 | Oct 2 |
| Big Falls Hydro, WI | 1,205 ft | May 7 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Bruce
- Weyerhaeuser, WI 54895 · last May 9, first Sep 29
- Ladysmith, WI 54848 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Conrath, WI 54731 · last May 5, first Oct 2
- Tony, WI 54563 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Holcombe, WI 54745 · last May 5, first Oct 2
- Exeland, WI 54835 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Mikana, WI 54857 · last May 8, first Oct 2
- New Auburn, WI 54757 · last May 5, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bruce, WI?
- For ZIP code 54819, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Weyerhaeuser 1N, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Bruce, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54819?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 140 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.