Frost Dates for Shawano, WI 54166
Last spring frost May 17 · First fall frost September 25 · 131 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 54166 has about 16,900 people.
Moderate season: 131 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 30–June 3 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans September 12–October 7 (25 days).
Frost probability for 54166
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 3 | May 17 | April 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 12 | September 25 | October 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SHAWANO 2SSW (2.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 131-day season in Shawano
In Shawano (131 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 | 89 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 89 available after May 31. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 5 | May 31–Jun 7 | 89 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 89 available after May 31. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 4 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 26–May 3 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 26. | Jul 24 |
| Cucumber | Apr 26 | May 31–Jun 7 | 103 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 103 available after May 31. | Jun 29 |
| Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after May 24. | Jul 6 |
| Peas | — | Mar 22–May 31 | 194 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 194 available after Mar 22. | Jul 15 |
| Zucchini | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 103 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 103 available after May 31. | Jul 4 |
| Onion | Feb 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 166 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 22–May 10 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 23 |
| Kale | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 19. | Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 19. | Jul 24 |
| Radish | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Potatoes | — | May 3–May 10 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 25 | 236 | overwinter: Plant Sep 25 to Oct 16; harvest the following summer. | Oct 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 12–Jun 7 | 187 | 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 | 103 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 103 available after May 24. | Jun 7 |
| Pumpkin | May 3 | May 31–May 31 | 96 | head-start: Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 5 | May 10–May 24 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after May 10. | Jul 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 22 | May 3–May 3 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 180 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 19. | Jun 24 |
| Butternut Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 96 | head-start: Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 29 | May 31–Jun 7 | 89 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 89 available after May 31. | Jun 5 |
| Okra | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 110 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 110 available after May 24. | Jul 4 |
| Basil | Apr 12 | Jun 7–Jun 7 | 96 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 96 available after Jun 7. | Jun 29 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 19–May 10 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Parsley | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 131 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 131 available after May 24. | Jul 10 |
| Celery | Mar 8 | May 24–Jun 7 | 131 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 131 available after May 24. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 19 | May 10–May 17 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 4 |
| Collards | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cantaloupe | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 89 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 89 available after May 31. | — |
| Chives | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 145 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 145 available after May 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Oregano | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 145 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 145 available after May 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after May 24. | — |
| Sage | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after May 24. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 145 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 145 available after May 24. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Cosmos | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | Jun 29 |
| Lavender | Feb 22 | May 17–May 31 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 5 | May 17–May 24 | 117 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 11. | Jul 9 |
| Melons | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 89 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 89 available after May 31. | — |
| Mint | — | May 17–May 31 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 117 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | Jul 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 110 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 110 available after May 24. | Jun 24 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 96 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 96 available after May 31. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 17–May 31 | 117 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | Jun 19 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 96 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 96 available after May 24. | May 31 |
| Watermelon | May 3 | May 24–May 31 | 96 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 96 available after May 24. | May 26 |
| Yellow Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 103 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 103 available after May 31. | Jul 4 |
| Zinnias | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | Jun 29 |
Month by month in Shawano
| 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: Watermelon (May 26), Tomatillos (May 31). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 7). Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 5), Corn (Jun 7), Sunflowers (Jun 19), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 24), Pole Beans (Jun 24), Basil (Jun 29), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 4), Okra (Jul 4), Yellow Squash (Jul 4), Zucchini (Jul 4), Cauliflower (Jul 5), Beans (Jul 6), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 3), Scallions (Aug 3), Bok Choy (Aug 4), Lettuce (Aug 4), Kale (Aug 8), Kohlrabi (Aug 8), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 25). First frost around September 25. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 16). |
| 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 Shawano, WI (ZIP 54166)?
The median last spring frost date for Shawano, WI (ZIP code 54166) 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 30; one in ten it runs past June 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Shawano, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Shawano, WI is around September 25. 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 Shawano, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Shawano is about 131 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 Shawano (131 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 Shawano, WI?
Shawano, 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 Shawano, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 12 and plant out May 31 in Shawano. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Shawano?
Two: plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2.
When do I plant garlic in Shawano?
Sep 25 to Oct 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Shawano?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
New London (ZIP 54961) has 144 frost-free days, 13 more than Shawano (ZIP 54166). See New London ZIP 54961 frost dates
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