Frost Dates for Medford, WI 54451
Last spring frost May 17 · First fall frost September 22 · 128 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4a
ZIP 54451 has about 11,200 people.
Moderate season: 128 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 29–June 5 (37 days). Fall frost risk spans September 6–October 6 (30 days).
Frost probability for 54451
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 5 | May 17 | April 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 6 | September 22 | October 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at OWEN 1E (29.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 128-day season in Medford
In Medford (128 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 12 | May 31–Jun 7 | 86 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 86 available after May 31. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 5 | May 31–Jun 7 | 86 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 86 available after May 31. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 1 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 26–May 3 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 26. | Jul 21 |
| Cucumber | Apr 26 | May 31–Jun 7 | 100 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 100 available after May 31. | Jun 26 |
| Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 24. | Jul 3 |
| Peas | — | Mar 22–May 31 | 191 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 191 available after Mar 22. | Jul 12 |
| Zucchini | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 100 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 100 available after May 31. | Jul 1 |
| Onion | Feb 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 163 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 22–May 10 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 20 |
| Kale | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 163 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 19. | Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 19. | Jul 21 |
| Radish | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Potatoes | — | May 3–May 10 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after May 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 22 | 233 | overwinter: Plant Sep 22 to Oct 13; harvest the following summer. | Oct 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 12–Jun 7 | 184 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 100 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 100 available after May 24. | Jun 4 |
| Pumpkin | May 3 | May 31–May 31 | 93 | head-start: Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 5 | May 10–May 24 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 10. | Jul 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 22 | May 3–May 3 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 177 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 19. | Jun 21 |
| Butternut Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 93 | head-start: Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 29 | May 31–Jun 7 | 86 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 86 available after May 31. | Jun 2 |
| Okra | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 107 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 107 available after May 24. | Jul 1 |
| Basil | Apr 12 | Jun 7–Jun 7 | 93 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 7. | Jun 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 19–May 10 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Parsley | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 24. | Jul 7 |
| Celery | Mar 8 | May 24–Jun 7 | 128 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 128 available after May 24. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 19 | May 10–May 17 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 1 |
| Collards | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Cantaloupe | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 86 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 86 available after May 31. | — |
| Chives | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Oregano | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 24. | — |
| Sage | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 24. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 24. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Cosmos | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 17. | Jun 26 |
| Lavender | Feb 22 | May 17–May 31 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after May 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 5 | May 17–May 24 | 114 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 8. | Jul 6 |
| Melons | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 86 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 86 available after May 31. | — |
| Mint | — | May 17–May 31 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after May 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 114 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 17. | Jul 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 107 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 107 available after May 24. | Jun 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 93 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 93 available after May 31. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 17–May 31 | 114 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 114 available after May 17. | Jun 16 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 93 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 93 available after May 24. | May 28 |
| Watermelon | May 3 | May 24–May 31 | 93 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 93 available after May 24. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 100 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 100 available after May 31. | Jul 1 |
| Zinnias | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 17. | Jun 26 |
Month by month in Medford
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 22), Lavender (Feb 22), Onion (Feb 22), Rosemary (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 8), Collards (Mar 8), Kale (Mar 8), Oregano (Mar 8), Parsley (Mar 8), Scallions (Mar 8), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 22), Beets (Mar 22), Dill (Mar 22), Peas (Mar 22), Radish (Mar 22), Spinach (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 5), Cauliflower (Apr 5), Marigolds (Apr 5), Pepper (Apr 5), Basil (Apr 12), Tomato (Apr 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 5), Cilantro (Apr 19), Turnip (Apr 19), Carrots (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 19), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 19), Cabbage (Apr 19), Collards (Apr 19), Kale (Apr 19), Lettuce (Apr 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 12). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pumpkin (May 3), Spaghetti Squash (May 3), Watermelon (May 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 3), Sunflowers (May 17), Beans (May 24), Pole Beans (May 24). Transplant from: Calendula (May 3), Swiss Chard (May 3), Bok Choy (May 10), Cauliflower (May 10), Cosmos (May 17), Lavender (May 17), +26 more. Last frost around May 17. Last sowing dates: Tomatillos (May 28). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 7). Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 2), Corn (Jun 4), Sunflowers (Jun 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 21), Pole Beans (Jun 21), Basil (Jun 26), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 1), Okra (Jul 1), Yellow Squash (Jul 1), Zucchini (Jul 1), Cauliflower (Jul 2), Beans (Jul 3), +12 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Bok Choy (Aug 1), Lettuce (Aug 1), Kale (Aug 5), Kohlrabi (Aug 5), Turnip (Aug 10), Arugula (Aug 20), +2 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 22). First frost around September 22. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 13). |
| 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 Medford, WI (ZIP 54451)?
The median last spring frost date for Medford, WI (ZIP code 54451) is around May 17. 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 April 29; one in ten it runs past June 5.
What is the first fall frost date in Medford, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Medford, WI is around September 22. 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 6 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Medford, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Medford is about 128 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 Medford (128 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Medford, WI?
Medford, 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 Medford, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 12 and plant out May 31 in Medford. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Medford?
Two: plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29.
When do I plant garlic in Medford?
Sep 22 to Oct 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Medford?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Wausau (ZIP 54401) has 147 frost-free days, 19 more than Medford (ZIP 54451). See Wausau ZIP 54401 frost dates
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