Waupaca, WI Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 8
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 6
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
151 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 24 May 8 May 21
First fall frost Oct 18 Oct 6 Sep 23
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 28 · first Oct 17

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the WAUPACA 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 Waupaca

Computed from Waupaca'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 13 – Mar 27 May 15 – May 22
🫑 Peppers Feb 27 – Mar 13 May 22 – May 29
🥬 Lettuce Mar 27 – Apr 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24 Apr 10 – May 8
🫛 Peas Mar 27 – Apr 10
🥕 Carrots Apr 17 – May 8
🥦 Broccoli Mar 20 – Apr 3 Apr 17 – May 1
🥬 Kale Mar 27 – Apr 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24 Apr 10 – Apr 24
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 10 – Apr 17 May 15 – May 22 May 15 – May 22
🥒 Zucchini Apr 10 – Apr 17 May 15 – May 22 May 15 – May 22
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 15 – May 22
🌽 Sweet Corn May 15 – May 22
🌿 Basil Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 15 – May 22 May 22 – May 29
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 25 – Sep 22

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 Waupaca's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Waupaca

Roughly 151 frost-free days gives Waupaca gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 8; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 6 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Waupaca, WI?

The average last spring frost in Waupaca is around May 8, 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 Waupaca, WI?

The average first fall frost in Waupaca arrives around Oct 6. 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 Waupaca?

About 151 frost-free days on average, from May 8 to Oct 6. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Waupaca 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.