Fall in zone 5aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 53941 (La Valle, 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, Reedsburg, WI (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)156 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
51°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Necedah 5 WNW (33 mi), UW Platteville (62 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 Necedah 5 WNW (33 mi), UW Platteville (62 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 53941 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 18 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 2 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 16 |
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 23 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 7 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 20 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 13 | Sep 29 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 2 | Oct 7 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 20 | Oct 18 |
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 53941
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 7). 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 7–21 | May 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 21–Mar 7 | May 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 21–Mar 7 | May 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 7–21 | May 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 7–21 | Apr 11–May 2 (transplant) Apr 4–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (transplant) Jul 29–Aug 26 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 21–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 7–21 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–Aug 12 (transplant) Jul 1–29 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 7–21 | Apr 4–May 2 (transplant) Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–Aug 12 (transplant) Jul 1–29 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) | Jul 1–29 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 7–21 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 17–Jul 8 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 7–21 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 21–Apr 4 | Apr 18–May 9 (transplant) Apr 18–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 11–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–29 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 28–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 11–May 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 7–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–29 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 7–21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 21–Apr 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 7–21 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 26–Sep 23 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 17–Jul 1 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 23–Jun 6 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 23–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 4–11 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 4–11 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 4–11 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 4–11 | May 16–30 (transplant) May 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 4–11 | May 16–30 (transplant) May 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 16–30 (transplant) May 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 7–21 | May 9–16 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 18–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 21–Mar 7 | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) Apr 11–May 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 26 (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: Reedsburg, WI (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00477052), elevation 926 ft, 7.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro, WI | 11 mi | May 5 | Oct 4 |
| Rock Springs 3 SW, WI | 12 mi | Apr 24 | Oct 20 |
| Hillsboro 2SW, WI | 13 mi | May 12 | Sep 29 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 19 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 53941
When is the last frost in 53941?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 53941 is May 2. For a more cautious planting date, use May 16, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 53941?
The average first fall freeze is October 7. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 23.
What hardiness zone is 53941?
ZIP 53941 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 53941 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
53968 Wonewoc 53959 Reedsburg 53942 Lime Ridge 53924 Cazenovia 53962 Union Center 53961 Rock Springs 53944 Lyndon Station 53937
Other ZIP codes in Sauk County
53561 53577 53578 53583 53588 53913 53937 53940 53942 53943 53951 53959 53961 All Sauk County frost dates · Wisconsin frost dates
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