Frost Dates for Waupaca, WI 54981
Last spring frost May 10 · First fall frost September 30 · 143 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 54981 has about 14,900 people.
Moderate season: 143 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 22–May 27 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans September 18–October 12 (24 days).
Frost probability for 54981
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 27 | May 10 | April 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 18 | September 30 | October 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at NEW LONDON (32.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 143-day season in Waupaca
In Waupaca (143 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 5 | May 24–May 31 | 101 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 101 available after May 24. | May 31 |
| Pepper | Mar 29 | May 24–May 31 | 101 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 101 available after May 24. | Jun 5 |
| Lettuce | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 9 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 185 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 19. | Jul 29 |
| Cucumber | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 115 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 115 available after May 24. | Jul 4 |
| Beans | — | May 17–May 31 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 17. | Jul 11 |
| Peas | — | Mar 15–May 24 | 206 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 206 available after Mar 15. | Jul 20 |
| Zucchini | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 115 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 115 available after May 24. | Jul 9 |
| Onion | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 178 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 15–May 3 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 28 |
| Kale | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 12. | Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 192 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 12. | Jul 29 |
| Radish | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 26–May 3 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 30 | 248 | overwinter: Plant Sep 30 to Oct 21; harvest the following summer. | Oct 21 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 5–May 31 | 199 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after May 17. | Jun 12 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 26 | May 24–May 24 | 108 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 108 available after May 24. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 | May 3–May 17 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after May 3. | Jul 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 15 | Apr 26–Apr 26 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 192 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 12. | Jun 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 108 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 108 available after May 24. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 101 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 101 available after May 24. | Jun 10 |
| Okra | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 122 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 122 available after May 17. | Jul 9 |
| Basil | Apr 5 | May 31–May 31 | 108 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 108 available after May 31. | Jul 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 12–May 3 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Parsley | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 143 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after May 17. | Jul 15 |
| Celery | Mar 1 | May 17–May 31 | 143 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 143 available after May 17. | May 26 |
| Scallions | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 9 |
| Collards | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 101 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 101 available after May 24. | May 26 |
| Chives | Feb 15 | May 17–May 24 | 157 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 157 available after May 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Oregano | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after May 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 15 | May 17–May 24 | 143 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after May 17. | — |
| Sage | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after May 17. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 157 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 157 available after May 17. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Cosmos | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 10. | Jul 4 |
| Lavender | Feb 15 | May 10–May 24 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 29 | May 10–May 17 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 16. | Jul 14 |
| Melons | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 101 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 101 available after May 24. | May 26 |
| Mint | — | May 10–May 24 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 16. | Jul 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 17–May 31 | 122 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 122 available after May 17. | Jun 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 108 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 108 available after May 24. | May 28 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 10–May 24 | 129 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 129 available after May 10. | Jun 24 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 108 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 108 available after May 17. | Jun 5 |
| Watermelon | Apr 26 | May 17–May 24 | 108 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 108 available after May 17. | May 31 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 115 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 115 available after May 24. | Jul 9 |
| Zinnias | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 10. | Jul 4 |
Month by month in Waupaca
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 15), Lavender (Feb 15), Onion (Feb 15), Rosemary (Feb 15). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 1), Collards (Mar 1), Kale (Mar 1), Oregano (Mar 1), Parsley (Mar 1), Scallions (Mar 1), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 15), Beets (Mar 15), Dill (Mar 15), Peas (Mar 15), Radish (Mar 15), Spinach (Mar 15), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 5), Tomato (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Corn (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 12), Nasturtiums (Apr 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 12), Turnip (Apr 12), Carrots (Apr 19), Potatoes (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 12), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 12), Cabbage (Apr 12), Collards (Apr 12), Kale (Apr 12), Lettuce (Apr 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 5). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 10), Beans (May 17), Pole Beans (May 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 3), Cauliflower (May 3), Cosmos (May 10), Lavender (May 10), Marigolds (May 10), Mint (May 10), +25 more. Last frost around May 10. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 26), Celery (May 26), Melons (May 26), Spaghetti Squash (May 28), Tomato (May 31), Watermelon (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 5), Tomatillos (Jun 5), Eggplant (Jun 10), Corn (Jun 12), Sunflowers (Jun 24), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 29), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 4), Cosmos (Jul 4), Cucumber (Jul 4), Zinnias (Jul 4), Broccoli (Jul 5), Nasturtiums (Jul 9), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 4), Cilantro (Aug 4), Collards (Aug 8), Scallions (Aug 8), Bok Choy (Aug 9), Lettuce (Aug 9), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 30). First frost around September 30. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 21). |
| 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 Waupaca, WI (ZIP 54981)?
The median last spring frost date for Waupaca, WI (ZIP code 54981) is around May 10. 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 22; one in ten it runs past May 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Waupaca, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Waupaca, WI is around September 30. 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Waupaca, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Waupaca is about 143 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 Waupaca (143 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Waupaca, WI?
Waupaca, 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 Waupaca, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 5 and plant out May 24 in Waupaca. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Waupaca?
Two: plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7.
When do I plant garlic in Waupaca?
Sep 30 to Oct 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Greenville (ZIP 54942) has 156 frost-free days, 13 more than Waupaca (ZIP 54981). See Greenville ZIP 54942 frost dates
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