Frost Dates for Rhinelander, WI 54501
Last spring frost May 29 · First fall frost September 21 · 115 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 54501 has about 21,400 people.
Short season: 115 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 8–June 11 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans September 10–October 4 (24 days).
Frost probability for 54501
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 11 | May 29 | May 8 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 10 | September 21 | October 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at EAGLE RVR (29.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 115-day season in Rhinelander
In Rhinelander (115 frost-free days, a short season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 8 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 24 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 17 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 31 |
| Carrots | — | May 8–May 15 | 157 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 157 available after May 8. | Jul 20 |
| Cucumber | May 8 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 87 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 12. | Jun 25 |
| Beans | — | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 101 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 101 available after Jun 5. | Jul 2 |
| Peas | — | Apr 3–Jun 12 | 178 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 3. | Jul 11 |
| Zucchini | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 87 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 12. | Jun 30 |
| Onion | Mar 6 | May 1–May 15 | 150 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 150 available after May 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 3–May 22 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 19 |
| Kale | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 150 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 150 available after May 1. | Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 164 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after May 1. | Jul 20 |
| Radish | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Sep 28. | Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Potatoes | — | May 15–May 22 | 136 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 136 available after May 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 21 | 220 | overwinter: Plant Sep 21 to Oct 12; harvest the following summer. | Oct 12 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 24–Jun 19 | 171 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 1 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 87 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 12 | 80 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 20 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 17 | May 22–Jun 5 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 22. | Jul 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 3 | May 15–May 15 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 19 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 164 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 164 available after May 1. | Jun 20 |
| Butternut Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 80 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 20 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 10 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 73 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 73 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Okra | May 1 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 94 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 94 available after Jun 5. | Jun 30 |
| Basil | Apr 24 | Jun 19–Jun 19 | 80 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 19. | Jun 25 |
| Cilantro | — | May 1–May 22 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 26 |
| Parsley | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 115 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 5. | Jul 6 |
| Celery | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 115 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Turnip | — | May 1–May 15 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Bok Choy | May 1 | May 22–May 29 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 22 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 31 |
| Collards | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Cantaloupe | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 6 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 129 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Oregano | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 129 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 129 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 6 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 115 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Sage | Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 129 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 17 | May 15–May 29 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 26 |
| Cosmos | May 1 | May 29–Jun 12 | 101 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 101 available after May 29. | Jun 25 |
| Lavender | Mar 6 | May 29–Jun 12 | 136 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 136 available after May 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 17 | May 29–Jun 5 | 101 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 101 available after May 29. | Jul 5 |
| Melons | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 136 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 136 available after May 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 101 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 101 available after May 29. | Jun 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 94 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 94 available after Jun 5. | Jun 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 80 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 101 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 101 available after May 29. | Jun 15 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 80 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Watermelon | May 15 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 80 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 87 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 12. | Jun 30 |
| Zinnias | May 1 | May 29–Jun 12 | 101 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 101 available after May 29. | Jun 25 |
Month by month in Rhinelander
| 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 6), Lavender (Mar 6), Onion (Mar 6), Rosemary (Mar 6), Celery (Mar 20), Collards (Mar 20), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 3), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 3), Cabbage (Apr 3), Lettuce (Apr 3), Sage (Apr 3), Swiss Chard (Apr 3), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 3), Beets (Apr 3), Dill (Apr 3), Peas (Apr 3), Radish (Apr 3), Spinach (Apr 3), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 24). |
| May | Start indoors: Bok Choy (May 1), Corn (May 1), Cosmos (May 1), Nasturtiums (May 1), Okra (May 1), Zinnias (May 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 1), Turnip (May 1), Carrots (May 8), Potatoes (May 15), Sunflowers (May 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 1), Brussel Sprouts (May 1), Cabbage (May 1), Collards (May 1), Kale (May 1), Lettuce (May 1), +12 more. Last frost around May 29. |
| June | Direct sow from: Beans (Jun 5), Pole Beans (Jun 5). Transplant from: Celery (Jun 5), Chives (Jun 5), Corn (Jun 5), Okra (Jun 5), Oregano (Jun 5), Parsley (Jun 5), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 20), Pole Beans (Jun 20), Basil (Jun 25), Cosmos (Jun 25), Cucumber (Jun 25), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cauliflower (Jul 1), Beans (Jul 2), Marigolds (Jul 5), Parsley (Jul 6), Peas (Jul 11), Cabbage (Jul 20), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Kale (Aug 4), Kohlrabi (Aug 4), Turnip (Aug 9), Arugula (Aug 19), Spinach (Aug 19), Radish (Aug 20). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 21). First frost around September 21. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 12). |
| 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 Rhinelander, WI (ZIP 54501)?
The median last spring frost date for Rhinelander, WI (ZIP code 54501) is around May 29. 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 8; one in ten it runs past June 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Rhinelander, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Rhinelander, WI is around September 21. 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 10 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Rhinelander, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Rhinelander is about 115 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 Rhinelander (115 frost-free days, a short season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 8 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Rhinelander, WI?
Rhinelander, WI is in USDA hardiness zone 4b (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 Rhinelander, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 24 and plant out Jun 12 in Rhinelander. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Rhinelander?
Two: plant May 1 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Sep 28.
When do I plant garlic in Rhinelander?
Sep 21 to Oct 12; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Rhinelander?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Merrill (ZIP 54452) has 125 frost-free days, 10 more than Rhinelander (ZIP 54501). See Merrill ZIP 54452 frost dates
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