Frost dates for ZIP 54643 (Millston, WI)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Mather 3 NW, WI (14 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)148 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone4b-25 to -20°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
50°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Necedah 5 WNW (25 mi).
4-inch depth
53°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Necedah 5 WNW (25 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 54643 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 53°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 24 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 6 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 20 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 19 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 3 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 16 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 17 | Sep 23 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 6 | Oct 3 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 26 | Oct 15 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 54643
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 3). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 11–25 | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 25–Mar 11 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 25–Mar 11 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 11–25 | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 11–25 | Apr 15–May 6 (transplant) Apr 8–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–29 (transplant) Jul 25–Aug 22 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 25–Apr 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–29 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 11–25 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–Aug 8 (transplant) Jun 27–Jul 25 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 11–25 | Apr 8–May 6 (transplant) Apr 8–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–Aug 8 (transplant) Jun 27–Jul 25 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jun 27–Jul 25 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jun 27–Jul 25 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | Jun 27–Jul 25 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 11–25 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jun 13–Jul 4 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 11–25 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 8–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 25–Apr 8 | Apr 22–May 13 (transplant) Apr 22–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 8–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 15–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–25 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 1–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 15–May 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 11–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–25 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 11–25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 25–Apr 22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 11–25 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 22–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jun 13–27 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 27–Jun 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 8–15 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 8–15 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 8–15 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 8–15 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 8–15 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 25–Apr 8 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 11–25 | May 13–20 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 25–Apr 8 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 22–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) Apr 15–May 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 22 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Mather 3 NW, WI (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00475164), elevation 978 ft, 14.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta, WI | 20 mi | May 9 | Oct 1 |
| Necedah 5 WNW, WI | 24 mi | May 1 | Oct 3 |
| Neillsville 3ESE, WI | 25 mi | May 10 | Oct 1 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 9 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 54643
When is the last frost in 54643?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 54643 is May 6. For a more cautious planting date, use May 20, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 54643?
The average first fall freeze is October 3. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 19.
What hardiness zone is 54643?
ZIP 54643 is in USDA zone 4b (-25 to -20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 54643 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
54666 Warrens 54615 Black River Falls 54660 Tomah 54656 Sparta 54754 Merrillan 54466 Pittsville 54642 Melrose 54618 Camp Douglas
Other ZIP codes in Jackson County
54611 54615 54635 54642 54659 54754 All Jackson County frost dates · Wisconsin frost dates
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