Frost Dates for Wausau, WI 54403
Last spring frost May 19 · First fall frost September 21 · 125 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 54403 has about 25,000 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Wausau.
Moderate season: 125 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 1–June 6 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans September 9–October 6 (27 days).
Frost probability for 54403
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 6 | May 19 | May 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 9 | September 21 | October 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ROSHOLT 9 NNE (37.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 125-day season in Wausau
In Wausau (125 frost-free days, a moderate season), 36 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 4 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 14 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 83 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 7 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 83 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 31 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 28–May 5 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 28. | Jul 20 |
| Cucumber | Apr 28 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 97 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 2. | Jun 25 |
| Beans | — | May 26–Jun 9 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 26. | Jul 2 |
| Peas | — | Mar 24–Jun 2 | 188 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 188 available after Mar 24. | Jul 11 |
| Zucchini | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 97 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 2. | Jun 30 |
| Onion | Feb 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 160 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 24–May 12 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 19 |
| Kale | Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 21. | Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 21. | Jul 20 |
| Radish | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Sep 28. | Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Potatoes | — | May 5–May 12 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 21 | 230 | overwinter: Plant Sep 21 to Oct 12; harvest the following summer. | Oct 12 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 14–Jun 9 | 181 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 21 | May 26–Jun 2 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after May 26. | Jun 3 |
| Pumpkin | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 2 | 90 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 7 | May 12–May 26 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after May 12. | Jul 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 24 | May 5–May 5 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 19 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 21. | Jun 20 |
| Butternut Squash | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 90 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 31 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 83 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Okra | Apr 21 | May 26–Jun 2 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 26. | Jun 30 |
| Basil | Apr 14 | Jun 9–Jun 9 | 90 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 9. | Jun 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 21–May 12 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 26 |
| Parsley | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 2 | 125 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 125 available after May 26. | Jul 6 |
| Celery | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 9 | 125 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 125 available after May 26. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 21 | May 12–May 19 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 31 |
| Collards | Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Cantaloupe | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Feb 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Oregano | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 2 | 139 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 139 available after May 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 26. | — |
| Sage | Mar 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after May 26. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 2 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 26. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 26 |
| Cosmos | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 19. | Jun 25 |
| Lavender | Feb 24 | May 19–Jun 2 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 7 | May 19–May 26 | 111 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 111 available after May 19. | Jul 5 |
| Melons | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 19. | Jun 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 26–Jun 9 | 104 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 104 available after May 26. | Jun 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 90 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 111 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 111 available after May 19. | Jun 15 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 90 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 90 available after May 26. | May 27 |
| Watermelon | May 5 | May 26–Jun 2 | 90 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 90 available after May 26. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 97 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 2. | Jun 30 |
| Zinnias | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 19. | Jun 25 |
Month by month in Wausau
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 24), Lavender (Feb 24), Onion (Feb 24), Rosemary (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 10), Collards (Mar 10), Kale (Mar 10), Oregano (Mar 10), Parsley (Mar 10), Scallions (Mar 10), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 24), Beets (Mar 24), Dill (Mar 24), Peas (Mar 24), Radish (Mar 24), Spinach (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 7), Cauliflower (Apr 7), Marigolds (Apr 7), Pepper (Apr 7), Basil (Apr 14), Tomato (Apr 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 7), Cilantro (Apr 21), Turnip (Apr 21), Carrots (Apr 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 21), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 21), Cabbage (Apr 21), Collards (Apr 21), Kale (Apr 21), Lettuce (Apr 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 14). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 5), Cantaloupe (May 5), Melons (May 5), Pumpkin (May 5), Spaghetti Squash (May 5), Watermelon (May 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 5), Sunflowers (May 19), Beans (May 26), Pole Beans (May 26). Transplant from: Calendula (May 5), Swiss Chard (May 5), Bok Choy (May 12), Cauliflower (May 12), Cosmos (May 19), Lavender (May 19), +15 more. Last frost around May 19. Last sowing dates: Tomatillos (May 27). |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Cucumber (Jun 2), Eggplant (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Pepper (Jun 2), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Corn (Jun 3), Sunflowers (Jun 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 20), Pole Beans (Jun 20), Basil (Jun 25), Cosmos (Jun 25), +7 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 Wausau, WI (ZIP 54403)?
The median last spring frost date for Wausau, WI (ZIP code 54403) is around May 19. 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 1; one in ten it runs past June 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Wausau, WI?
The median first fall frost date for Wausau, 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 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Wausau, WI?
The frost-free growing season in Wausau is about 125 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 Wausau (125 frost-free days, a moderate season), 36 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 4 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Wausau, WI?
Wausau, 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 Wausau, WI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 14 and plant out Jun 2 in Wausau. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Wausau?
Two: plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Sep 28.
When do I plant garlic in Wausau?
Sep 21 to Oct 12; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Wausau?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 10 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, 22 more than Wausau (ZIP 54403). See Wausau ZIP 54401 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Schofield, WI 54476 (9.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Wausau, WI 54401 (10.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Merrill, WI 54452 (17.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Antigo, WI 54409 (17.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Mosinee, WI 54455 (20.4 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