Stevens Point, WI planting zone & frost dates
Stevens Point is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. The last spring frost usually comes around May 4 and the first fall frost around October 7, for a growing season of about 155 days.
Planting calendar for Stevens Point
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 4) 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: Mar 9 – Mar 23 Transplant outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: May 18 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: May 18 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 23 – Apr 6 Transplant outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 12 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 7).
Useful for zone 5a 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 22 | May 4 | May 20 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 22 | Oct 7 | Sep 24 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 20, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 24. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 25.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Stevens Point
- 54481 zone 5a
- 54482 zone 4b
- 54492 zone 5a
Nearby cities
- Plover zone 4b, last frost May 4
- Wisconsin Rapids zone 4b, last frost May 9
- Weston zone 4b, last frost May 6
- Wausau zone 4b, last frost May 6
- Marshfield zone 4b, last frost May 5
- Portage zone 5a, last frost Apr 28
- Baraboo zone 5a, last frost May 5
- Oshkosh zone 5b, last frost Apr 24
Questions
What growing zone is Stevens Point, WI?
Stevens Point is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a (average extreme winter low -20°F to -15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 4b.
When is the last frost in Stevens Point?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Stevens Point is May 4. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 20.
When can I plant tomatoes in Stevens Point?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 11 – May 18. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Stevens Pt, WI (USC00478171), 1.6 km (1.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 329 m, based on 30 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.