Frost Dates for Ashland, WI 54806
Last spring frost June 1 · First fall frost September 23 · 114 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 54806 has about 11,700 people.
Short season: 114 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 15–June 17 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 12–October 4 (22 days).
Frost probability for 54806
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 17 | June 1 | May 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 12 | September 23 | October 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ASHLAND EXP FARM (9.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 114-day season in Ashland
In Ashland (114 frost-free days, a short season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 9 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 27 | Jun 15–Jun 22 | 72 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 15, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 20 | Jun 15–Jun 22 | 72 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 15, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 2 |
| Carrots | — | May 11–May 18 | 156 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after May 11. | Jul 22 |
| Cucumber | May 11 | Jun 15–Jun 22 | 86 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 86 available after Jun 15. | Jun 27 |
| Beans | — | Jun 8–Jun 22 | 100 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 8. | Jul 4 |
| Peas | — | Apr 6–Jun 15 | 177 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 6. | Jul 13 |
| Zucchini | May 18 | Jun 15–Jun 22 | 86 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 86 available after Jun 15. | Jul 2 |
| Onion | Mar 9 | May 4–May 18 | 149 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 149 available after May 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 6–May 25 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 21 |
| Kale | Mar 23 | May 4–May 18 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 149 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 149 available after May 4. | Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after May 4. | Jul 22 |
| Radish | — | Apr 6–Jun 29 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | Apr 6–Jun 29 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Potatoes | — | May 18–May 25 | 135 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 135 available after May 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 23 | 219 | overwinter: Plant Sep 23 to Oct 14; harvest the following summer. | Oct 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 27–Jun 22 | 170 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 4 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 86 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 86 available after Jun 8. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 18 | Jun 15–Jun 15 | 79 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 15, the outdoor season is about 21 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 20 | May 25–Jun 8 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 25. | Jul 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 6 | May 18–May 18 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 6–Jun 29 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 163 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 163 available after May 4. | Jun 22 |
| Butternut Squash | May 18 | Jun 15–Jun 22 | 79 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 15, the outdoor season is about 21 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 13 | Jun 15–Jun 22 | 72 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 72 available after Jun 15. | — |
| Okra | May 4 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 93 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 8. | Jul 2 |
| Basil | Apr 27 | Jun 22–Jun 22 | 79 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 79 available after Jun 22. | Jun 27 |
| Cilantro | — | May 4–May 25 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Parsley | Mar 23 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 114 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 114 available after Jun 8. | Jul 8 |
| Celery | Mar 23 | Jun 8–Jun 22 | 114 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 8, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 23 | May 4–May 18 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Turnip | — | May 4–May 18 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Bok Choy | May 4 | May 25–Jun 1 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 25 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 2 |
| Collards | Mar 23 | May 4–May 18 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cantaloupe | May 18 | Jun 15–Jun 22 | 72 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 15, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 9 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 128 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 128 available after Jun 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 6–Jun 29 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Oregano | Mar 23 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after Jun 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 9 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 114 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 114 available after Jun 8. | — |
| Sage | Apr 6 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after Jun 8. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 23 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 128 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 128 available after Jun 8. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 20 | May 18–Jun 1 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Cosmos | May 4 | Jun 1–Jun 15 | 100 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 1. | Jun 27 |
| Lavender | Mar 9 | Jun 1–Jun 15 | 135 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 135 available after Jun 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 20 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 100 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 1. | Jul 7 |
| Melons | May 18 | Jun 15–Jun 22 | 72 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 15, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 1–Jun 15 | 135 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 135 available after Jun 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 4 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 100 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 1. | Jul 2 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 8–Jun 22 | 93 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 8. | Jun 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 18 | Jun 15–Jun 22 | 79 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 15, the outdoor season is about 11 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 1–Jun 15 | 100 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 1. | Jun 17 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 6 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 79 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 79 available after Jun 8. | — |
| Watermelon | May 18 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 79 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 8, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 18 | Jun 15–Jun 22 | 86 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 86 available after Jun 15. | Jul 2 |
| Zinnias | May 4 | Jun 1–Jun 15 | 100 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 1. | Jun 27 |
Month by month in Ashland
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start the slowest-growing crops indoors: onions, leeks, and celery (10–12 weeks before last frost). |
| March | Start indoors: Chives (Mar 9), Lavender (Mar 9), Onion (Mar 9), Rosemary (Mar 9), Celery (Mar 23), Collards (Mar 23), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 6), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 6), Cabbage (Apr 6), Lettuce (Apr 6), Sage (Apr 6), Swiss Chard (Apr 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 6), Beets (Apr 6), Dill (Apr 6), Peas (Apr 6), Radish (Apr 6), Spinach (Apr 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 27). |
| May | Start indoors: Bok Choy (May 4), Corn (May 4), Cosmos (May 4), Nasturtiums (May 4), Okra (May 4), Zinnias (May 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 4), Turnip (May 4), Carrots (May 11), Potatoes (May 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 4), Brussel Sprouts (May 4), Cabbage (May 4), Collards (May 4), Kale (May 4), Lettuce (May 4), +6 more. |
| June | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jun 1), Beans (Jun 8), Pole Beans (Jun 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (Jun 1), Lavender (Jun 1), Marigolds (Jun 1), Mint (Jun 1), Nasturtiums (Jun 1), Zinnias (Jun 1), +23 more. Last frost around June 1. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 17), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 22), Pole Beans (Jun 22), Basil (Jun 27), Cosmos (Jun 27), Cucumber (Jun 27), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 2), Okra (Jul 2), Yellow Squash (Jul 2), Zucchini (Jul 2), Cauliflower (Jul 3), Beans (Jul 4), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 1), Scallions (Aug 1), Bok Choy (Aug 2), Lettuce (Aug 2), Kale (Aug 6), Kohlrabi (Aug 6), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 23). First frost around September 23. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 14). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Ashland, WI (ZIP 54806)?
The median last spring frost date for Ashland, WI (ZIP code 54806) is around June 1. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before May 15; one in ten it runs past June 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Ashland, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Ashland, WI is around September 23. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Ashland, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Ashland is about 114 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Ashland (114 frost-free days, a short season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 9 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Ashland, WI?
Ashland, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Ashland, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 27 and plant out Jun 15 in Ashland. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ashland?
Two: plant May 4 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30.
When do I plant garlic in Ashland?
Sep 23 to Oct 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Ashland?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 8, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Superior (ZIP 54880) has 138 frost-free days, 24 more than Ashland (ZIP 54806). See Superior ZIP 54880 frost dates
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