Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Eau Claire, WI
Plan your garden around Eau Claire, WI's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
April 24
Safe May 7
Typical Apr 24
Risky Apr 9
First Fall Frost
October 14
Safe Sep 26
Typical Oct 14
Risky Oct 28
Growing Season
170 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 4b
Very cold winters, focus on short-season varieties and cold-hardy perennials.
Data: NOAA station EAU CLAIRE 3SW, WI US, 3 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | May 1 – May 8 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | May 8 – May 15 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 8 | May 1 – May 8 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 8 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 8 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 8 – May 15 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 8 – May 15 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 2 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 2 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 19 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Sep 2 – Sep 9 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Aug 12 – Aug 19 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | Aug 5 – Aug 12 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 5 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 19 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Sep 2 – Sep 16 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 19 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 16 – Sep 30 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | — | May 1 – May 8 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 2 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 8 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | May 1 – May 8 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 8 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Eau Claire, WI?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the EAU CLAIRE 3SW, WI US station, the last spring frost in Eau Claire typically falls around April 24. A cautious gardener might wait until May 7 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while April 9 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Eau Claire, WI in fall?
The first fall frost in Eau Claire typically arrives around October 14. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as September 26; in milder years it can hold off until October 28.
How long is the growing season in Eau Claire, WI?
Eau Claire's average frost-free growing season is about 170 days, running from the typical last spring frost (April 24) to the typical first fall frost (October 14).
What USDA hardiness zone is Eau Claire, WI in?
Eau Claire, WI is in USDA plant hardiness zone 4b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Very cold winters, focus on short-season varieties and cold-hardy perennials.