Frost Dates for Hayward, WI 54843
Last spring frost May 30 · First fall frost September 16 · 109 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4a
ZIP 54843 has about 13,400 people.
Short season: 109 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 14–June 15 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 2–October 1 (29 days).
Frost probability for 54843
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 15 | May 30 | May 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 2 | September 16 | October 1 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WINTER (34.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 109-day season in Hayward
In Hayward (109 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 9 need an indoor start, 2 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 25 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 67 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 18 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 67 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 26 |
| Carrots | — | May 9–May 16 | 151 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 151 available after May 9. | Jul 15 |
| Cucumber | May 9 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 81 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 81 available after Jun 13. | Jun 20 |
| Beans | — | Jun 6–Jun 20 | 95 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 6. | Jun 27 |
| Peas | — | Apr 4–Jun 13 | 172 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 4. | Jul 6 |
| Zucchini | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 81 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 81 available after Jun 13. | Jun 25 |
| Onion | Mar 7 | May 2–May 16 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 4–May 23 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 14 |
| Kale | Mar 21 | May 2–May 16 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after May 2. | Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after May 2. | Jul 15 |
| Radish | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Sep 23. | Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Potatoes | — | May 16–May 23 | 130 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 130 available after May 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 16 | 214 | overwinter: Plant Sep 16 to Oct 7; harvest the following summer. | Oct 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 25–Jun 20 | 165 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 2 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 81 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 81 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 13 | 74 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Hayward has 74 after Jun 13. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 18 | May 23–Jun 6 | 123 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 123 available after May 23. | Jun 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 4 | May 16–May 16 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 158 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 158 available after May 2. | Jun 15 |
| Butternut Squash | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 74 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Hayward has 74 after Jun 13. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 11 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 67 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Okra | May 2 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 88 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 6. | Jun 25 |
| Basil | Apr 25 | Jun 20–Jun 20 | 74 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 74 available after Jun 20. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 2–May 23 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 21 |
| Parsley | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 109 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 109 available after Jun 6. | Jul 1 |
| Celery | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 20 | 109 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 11 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 21 | May 2–May 16 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Turnip | — | May 2–May 16 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Bok Choy | May 2 | May 23–May 30 | 123 | two-plantings: Plant May 23 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 26 |
| Collards | Mar 21 | May 2–May 16 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cantaloupe | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 67 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 18 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 7 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 123 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 123 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Oregano | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 123 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 123 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 7 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 109 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 109 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Sage | Apr 4 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 123 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 123 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 123 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 123 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 18 | May 16–May 30 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 21 |
| Cosmos | May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 | 95 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 95 available after May 30. | Jun 20 |
| Lavender | Mar 7 | May 30–Jun 13 | 130 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 130 available after May 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 18 | May 30–Jun 6 | 95 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 95 available after May 30. | Jun 30 |
| Melons | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 67 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 18 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 30–Jun 13 | 130 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 130 available after May 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 2 | May 30–Jun 6 | 95 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 95 available after May 30. | Jun 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 6–Jun 20 | 88 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 6. | Jun 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 74 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 30–Jun 13 | 95 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 95 available after May 30. | Jun 10 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 4 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 74 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Watermelon | May 16 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 74 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 81 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 81 available after Jun 13. | Jun 25 |
| Zinnias | May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 | 95 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 95 available after May 30. | Jun 20 |
Month by month in Hayward
| 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 7), Lavender (Mar 7), Onion (Mar 7), Rosemary (Mar 7), Celery (Mar 21), Collards (Mar 21), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), Sage (Apr 4), Swiss Chard (Apr 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 4), Beets (Apr 4), Dill (Apr 4), Peas (Apr 4), Radish (Apr 4), Spinach (Apr 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 25). |
| May | Start indoors: Bok Choy (May 2), Corn (May 2), Cosmos (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Okra (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 2), Turnip (May 2), Carrots (May 9), Potatoes (May 16), Sunflowers (May 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 2), Brussel Sprouts (May 2), Cabbage (May 2), Collards (May 2), Kale (May 2), Lettuce (May 2), +12 more. Last frost around May 30. |
| June | Direct sow from: Beans (Jun 6), Pole Beans (Jun 6). Transplant from: Celery (Jun 6), Chives (Jun 6), Corn (Jun 6), Okra (Jun 6), Oregano (Jun 6), Parsley (Jun 6), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 10), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 15), Pole Beans (Jun 15), Cosmos (Jun 20), Cucumber (Jun 20), Zinnias (Jun 20), +8 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Parsley (Jul 1), Peas (Jul 6), Cabbage (Jul 15), Carrots (Jul 15), Beets (Jul 16), Dill (Jul 16), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Aug 4), Arugula (Aug 14), Spinach (Aug 14), Radish (Aug 15). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 16). First frost around September 16. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 7). |
| 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 Hayward, WI (ZIP 54843)?
The median last spring frost date for Hayward, WI (ZIP code 54843) is around May 30. 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 14; one in ten it runs past June 15.
What is the first fall frost date in Hayward, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Hayward, WI is around September 16. 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 2 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Hayward, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Hayward is about 109 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 Hayward (109 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 9 need an indoor start, 2 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Hayward, WI?
Hayward, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 4a (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 Hayward, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 25 and plant out Jun 13 in Hayward. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Hayward?
Two: plant May 2 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 23.
When do I plant garlic in Hayward?
Sep 16 to Oct 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Hayward?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 11 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Rice Lake (ZIP 54868) has 135 frost-free days, 26 more than Hayward (ZIP 54843). See Rice Lake ZIP 54868 frost dates
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