When is the last frost in La Crosse, WI?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in La Crosse is around April 27, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the La Crosse Wfo, WI station (2.8 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in La Crosse?

The average first fall frost in La Crosse, WI is around October 13, giving roughly a 167-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is La Crosse, WI?

La Crosse is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5a (average annual extreme minimum temperature -20 to -15°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in La Crosse?

In La Crosse, WI the warmest month is July (avg high 79.5°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 8.3°F). It averages about 37.5″ of precipitation a year and 54.2″ of snow.

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La Crosse, WI Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 5a · ZIP 54601 · elevation 398′ · NOAA & USDA data

La Crosse is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (winters can dip to -20 to -15°F), with a growing season of about 167 days between the average last spring frost (April 27) and first fall frost (October 13). The warmest month is July (avg high 79.5°F); the coldest is January (avg low 8.3°F). It averages 37.5″ of precipitation a year and 54.2″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -20 to -15°F

Last spring frost

April 27

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 13

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

167 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 79.5°F

Month-by-month typical weather in La Crosse

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at La Crosse Wfo, WI (2.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	23.6	8.3	16	1.1	10.5
February	28.7	12.8	20.7	1.1	12.4
March	41.1	24.4	32.8	1.9	8.3
April	55.4	36.1	45.7	4	4.5
May	67.2	47.9	57.5	4.9	0
June	76	57.8	66.9	5.3	0
July	79.5	61.8	70.7	4.3	0
August	78.1	60.3	69.2	4.5	0
September	70.8	52	61.4	4	0
October	57.6	39.9	48.8	2.9	0.5
November	41.7	27.7	34.7	1.9	3.5
December	29.2	15.4	22.3	1.5	14.5

What to plant when in La Crosse

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 16 · Transplant out: May 4
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 2 · Transplant out: May 11
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 4
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 4
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 4
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 4
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 4
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 23 · Sow (fall): August 18
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 16 · Sow (fall): August 18
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 30 · Sow (fall): August 18
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 6 · Sow (fall): August 4
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 13
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 6 · Sow (fall): August 4
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 30
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 13
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 30 · Sow (fall): September 1

Dates are computed from La Crosse's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Wisconsin

Eau Claire, WI Madison, WI Wausau, WI Janesville, WI Oshkosh, WI Beloit, WI Fond Du Lac, WI Appleton, WI

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — La Crosse Wfo, WI, 2.8 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: La Crosse Wfo, WI, 2.8 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.