Frost dates for 54945Iola, WI
The average last spring frost in Iola is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 151 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 151 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 4 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 8 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 8 · May 21 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 18 | 151 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 172 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Iola
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 16 |
| 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 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| 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 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54945 is matched to the NOAA station Waupaca, WI, 20.7 km away, at 837 ft elevation (121 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waupaca, WI (used) | 837 ft | May 8 | Oct 6 |
| Rosholt 9 Nne, WI | 1,183 ft | May 6 | Oct 5 |
| Clintonville, WI | 802 ft | May 4 | Oct 6 |
| Stevens Pt, WI | 1,079 ft | May 4 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Iola
- Iola, WI 54990 · last May 8, first Oct 6
- Scandinavia, WI 54977 · last May 8, first Oct 6
- Big Falls, WI 54926 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Amherst Junction, WI 54407 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Nelsonville, WI 54458 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Ogdensburg, WI 54962 · last May 8, first Oct 6
- Amherst, WI 54406 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Manawa, WI 54949 · last May 8, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Iola, WI?
- For ZIP code 54945, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Waupaca, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Iola, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54945?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 151 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.