Eau Claire, WI planting zone & frost dates
Eau Claire is in USDA hardiness zone 4b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 24 and the first fall frost around October 14, for a growing season of about 170 days.
Planting calendar for Eau Claire
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 24) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 19 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 14).
Useful for zone 4b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 9 | Apr 24 | May 7 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 28 | Oct 14 | Sep 26 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 7, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 26. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 14.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Eau Claire
- 54701 zone 4b
- 54702 zone 4b
- 54703 zone 4b
Nearby cities
- Chippewa Falls zone 4b, last frost May 8
- Menomonie zone 4b, last frost May 9
- Onalaska zone 5a, last frost Apr 23
- North La Crosse zone 5a, last frost Apr 23
- La Crosse zone 5a, last frost Apr 27
- River Falls zone 4b, last frost May 11
- Hudson zone 5a, last frost Apr 22
- Marshfield zone 4b, last frost May 5
Questions
What growing zone is Eau Claire, WI?
Eau Claire is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4b (average extreme winter low -25°F to -20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Eau Claire?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Eau Claire is April 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 7.
When can I plant tomatoes in Eau Claire?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 1 – May 8. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Eau Claire 3Sw, WI (USC00472425), 3.0 km (1.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 268 m, based on 10 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.