Wisconsin Rapids, WI Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Wisconsin Rapids garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 30
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
144 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 26 May 9 May 24
First fall frost Oct 13 Sep 30 Sep 17
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 30 · first Oct 10

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the WISCONSIN RAPIDS station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Wisconsin Rapids

Computed from Wisconsin Rapids's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 14 – Mar 28 May 16 – May 23
🫑 Peppers Feb 28 – Mar 14 May 23 – May 30
🥬 Lettuce Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 11 – May 9
🫛 Peas Mar 28 – Apr 11
🥕 Carrots Apr 18 – May 9
🥦 Broccoli Mar 21 – Apr 4 Apr 18 – May 2
🥬 Kale Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 11 – Apr 25
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 11 – Apr 18 May 16 – May 23 May 16 – May 23
🥒 Zucchini Apr 11 – Apr 18 May 16 – May 23 May 16 – May 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 16 – May 23
🌽 Sweet Corn May 16 – May 23
🌿 Basil Mar 28 – Apr 11 May 16 – May 23 May 23 – May 30
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 19 – Sep 16

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Wisconsin Rapids's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Wisconsin Rapids

At about 144 frost-free days, Wisconsin Rapids rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

The average last spring frost in Wisconsin Rapids is around May 9, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

The average first fall frost in Wisconsin Rapids arrives around Sep 30. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Wisconsin Rapids?

About 144 frost-free days on average, from May 9 to Sep 30. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Wisconsin Rapids in?

USDA zone 5b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.