Fall in zone 5aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 53581 (Richland Center, WI)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Richland Ctr, WI (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)154 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5a-20 to -15°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 51°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of UW Platteville (46 mi), Necedah 5 WNW (49 mi).
4-inch depth
53°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 53°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of UW Platteville (46 mi), Necedah 5 WNW (49 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 53581 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 53°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 21 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 5 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 19 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 24 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 6 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 18 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 16 | Sep 29 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 5 | Oct 6 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 53581
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 6). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 10–24 | May 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 24–Mar 10 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 24–Mar 10 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 10–24 | May 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 10–24 | Apr 14–May 5 (transplant) Apr 7–May 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–Sep 1 (transplant) Jul 28–Aug 25 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) Jun 30–Jul 28 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 10–24 | Apr 7–May 5 (transplant) Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) Jun 30–Jul 28 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 7 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 24–Apr 7 | Apr 21–May 12 (transplant) Apr 21–May 19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 14–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 31–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 14–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 10–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 10–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 24–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 25–Sep 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jun 16–30 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 26–Jun 9 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 26–Jun 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 7–14 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 7–14 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 7–14 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 7–14 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 7–14 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 24–Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 10–24 | May 12–19 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 24–Apr 7 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 21–May 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 14–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Richland Ctr, WI (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00477158), elevation 728 ft, 3.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lone Rock Tri Co AP, WI | 17 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| Hillsboro 2SW, WI | 18 mi | May 12 | Sep 29 |
| Hillsboro, WI | 20 mi | May 5 | Oct 4 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 13 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 53581
When is the last frost in 53581?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 53581 is May 5. For a more cautious planting date, use May 19, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 53581?
The average first fall freeze is October 6. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 24.
What hardiness zone is 53581?
ZIP 53581 is in USDA zone 5a (-20 to -15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 53581 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
53584 Sextonville 53924 Cazenovia 53540 Gotham 53518 Blue River 53556 Lone Rock 54664 Viola 53573 Muscoda 53937
Other ZIP codes in Richland County
53518 53540 53556 53584 53924 54664 All Richland County frost dates · Wisconsin frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.