Frost Dates for Sparta, WI 54656
Last spring frost May 13 · First fall frost September 27 · 137 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 54656 has about 18,200 people.
Moderate season: 137 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 28–May 26 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 14–October 11 (27 days).
Frost probability for 54656
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 26 | May 13 | April 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 14 | September 27 | October 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SPARTA (7.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 137-day season in Sparta
In Sparta (137 frost-free days, a moderate season), 39 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 3 | 95 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 95 available after May 27. | May 28 |
| Pepper | Apr 1 | May 27–Jun 3 | 95 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 95 available after May 27. | Jun 2 |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 6 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 22. | Jul 26 |
| Cucumber | Apr 22 | May 27–Jun 3 | 109 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 109 available after May 27. | Jul 1 |
| Beans | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 20. | Jul 8 |
| Peas | — | Mar 18–May 27 | 200 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 200 available after Mar 18. | Jul 17 |
| Zucchini | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 109 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 109 available after May 27. | Jul 6 |
| Onion | Feb 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 172 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 18–May 6 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 25 |
| Kale | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 15. | Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 15. | Jul 26 |
| Radish | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 29–May 6 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 27 | 242 | overwinter: Plant Sep 27 to Oct 18; harvest the following summer. | Oct 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 8–Jun 3 | 193 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 8; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 109 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 109 available after May 20. | Jun 9 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 29 | May 27–May 27 | 102 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 102 available after May 27. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 1 | May 6–May 20 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after May 6. | Jul 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 18 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 186 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 15. | Jun 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 102 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 102 available after May 27. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 95 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 95 available after May 27. | Jun 7 |
| Okra | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 116 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 20. | Jul 6 |
| Basil | Apr 8 | Jun 3–Jun 3 | 102 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 3. | Jul 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 15–May 6 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Parsley | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 137 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 137 available after May 20. | Jul 12 |
| Celery | Mar 4 | May 20–Jun 3 | 137 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 137 available after May 20. | May 23 |
| Scallions | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 6 |
| Collards | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 95 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 95 available after May 27. | — |
| Chives | Feb 18 | May 20–May 27 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Oregano | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after May 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 18 | May 20–May 27 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 20. | — |
| Sage | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after May 20. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 20. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Cosmos | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | Jul 1 |
| Lavender | Feb 18 | May 13–May 27 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 1 | May 13–May 20 | 123 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 13. | Jul 11 |
| Melons | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 95 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 95 available after May 27. | — |
| Mint | — | May 13–May 27 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 123 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | Jul 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 116 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 116 available after May 20. | Jun 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 102 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 102 available after May 27. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 13–May 27 | 123 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | Jun 21 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 102 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 102 available after May 20. | Jun 2 |
| Watermelon | Apr 29 | May 20–May 27 | 102 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 102 available after May 20. | May 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 109 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 109 available after May 27. | Jul 6 |
| Zinnias | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | Jul 1 |
Month by month in Sparta
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 18), Lavender (Feb 18), Onion (Feb 18), Rosemary (Feb 18). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 4), Collards (Mar 4), Kale (Mar 4), Oregano (Mar 4), Parsley (Mar 4), Scallions (Mar 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 18), Beets (Mar 18), Dill (Mar 18), Peas (Mar 18), Radish (Mar 18), Spinach (Mar 18). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 1), Cauliflower (Apr 1), Marigolds (Apr 1), Pepper (Apr 1), Basil (Apr 8), Tomato (Apr 8), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 1), Cilantro (Apr 15), Turnip (Apr 15), Carrots (Apr 22), Potatoes (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 15), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 15), Cabbage (Apr 15), Collards (Apr 15), Kale (Apr 15), Lettuce (Apr 15), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 8). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 13), Beans (May 20), Pole Beans (May 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 6), Cauliflower (May 6), Cosmos (May 13), Lavender (May 13), Marigolds (May 13), Mint (May 13), +24 more. Last frost around May 13. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 23), Tomato (May 28), Watermelon (May 28). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 3). Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 2), Tomatillos (Jun 2), Eggplant (Jun 7), Corn (Jun 9), Sunflowers (Jun 21), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 26), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 1), Cosmos (Jul 1), Cucumber (Jul 1), Zinnias (Jul 1), Broccoli (Jul 2), Nasturtiums (Jul 6), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 1), Cilantro (Aug 1), Collards (Aug 5), Scallions (Aug 5), Bok Choy (Aug 6), Lettuce (Aug 6), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 27). First frost around September 27. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 18). |
| 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 Sparta, WI (ZIP 54656)?
The median last spring frost date for Sparta, WI (ZIP code 54656) is around May 13. 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 28; one in ten it runs past May 26.
What is the first fall frost date in Sparta, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Sparta, WI is around September 27. 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Sparta, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Sparta is about 137 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 Sparta (137 frost-free days, a moderate season), 39 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Sparta, WI?
Sparta, 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 Sparta, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 8 and plant out May 27 in Sparta. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Sparta?
Two: plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4.
When do I plant garlic in Sparta?
Sep 27 to Oct 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Holmen (ZIP 54636) has 160 frost-free days, 23 more than Sparta (ZIP 54656). See Holmen ZIP 54636 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Tomah, WI 54660 (14.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Black River Falls, WI 54615 (17.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Holmen, WI 54636 (21.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Onalaska, WI 54650 (22.2 mi)
- Frost dates for La Crosse, WI 54601 (22.2 mi)
- When to plant in WI
- When to plant Peppers in WI
- When to plant Cucumbers in WI
- When to plant Zucchini in WI
- When to plant Butternut Squash in WI
- When to plant Basil in WI
- When to plant Sweet Corn in WI
- Look up another ZIP