Frost dates for 54971Ripon, WI
The average last spring frost in Ripon is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 29 · May 11 · May 24 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 142 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 26 · Oct 11 · Oct 26 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 5 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ripon
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 | Mar 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 54971 is matched to the NOAA station Ripon 5 Ne, WI, 9.1 km away, at 930 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ripon 5 Ne, WI (used) | 930 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
| Berlin Wwtp, WI | 766 ft | May 1 | Oct 8 |
| Markesan, WI | 861 ft | May 8 | Oct 2 |
| Oshkosh Wittman Ap, WI | 782 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Ripon
- Green Lake, WI 54941 · last May 1, first Oct 8
- Fairwater, WI 53931 · last May 8, first Oct 2
- Pickett, WI 54964 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Brandon, WI 53919 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Eldorado, WI 54932 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Waukau, WI 54980 · last May 1, first Oct 8
- Berlin, WI 54923 · last May 1, first Oct 8
- Rosendale, WI 54974 · last May 1, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ripon, WI?
- For ZIP code 54971, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ripon 5 Ne, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Ripon, WI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 54971?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.