Frost dates for 54956Neenah, WI
The average last spring frost in Neenah is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (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) | Apr 30 · May 15 · May 29 | Sep 15 · Sep 28 · Oct 11 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 20 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 21 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Nov 3 | 177 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Neenah
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54956 is matched to the NOAA station Appleton, WI, 11.2 km away, at 792 ft elevation (47 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI (used) | 792 ft | May 4 | Oct 6 |
| Oshkosh, WI | 750 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
| Oshkosh Wittman Ap, WI | 782 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 13 |
| New London, WI | 800 ft | May 4 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Neenah
- Neenah, WI 54957 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Menasha, WI 54952 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Appleton, WI 54914 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Winnebago, WI 54985 · last Apr 24, first Oct 20
- Greenville, WI 54942 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Kimberly, WI 54136 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Sherwood, WI 54169 · last May 6, first Oct 6
- Combined Locks, WI 54113 · last May 4, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Neenah, WI?
- For ZIP code 54956, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Appleton, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Neenah, 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 54956?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.