When is the last frost in Wausau, WI?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Wausau is around May 6, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Wausau Dwtn Ap, WI station (5 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 Wausau?

The average first fall frost in Wausau, WI is around October 4, giving roughly a 150-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Wausau, WI?

Wausau is in USDA plant hardiness zone 4b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -25 to -20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Wausau?

In Wausau, WI the warmest month is July (avg high 80.3°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 6.7°F). It averages about 33.9″ of precipitation a year and 64.3″ of snow.

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Wausau, WI Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 4b · ZIP 54401 · elevation 360′ · NOAA & USDA data

Wausau is in USDA hardiness zone 4b (winters can dip to -25 to -20°F), with a growing season of about 150 days between the average last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (October 4). The warmest month is July (avg high 80.3°F); the coldest is January (avg low 6.7°F). It averages 33.9″ of precipitation a year and 64.3″ 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 -25 to -20°F

Last spring frost

May 6

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 4

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

150 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 80.3°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Wausau

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Wausau Dwtn Ap, WI (5 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	22.8	6.7	14.8	1.2	14.8
February	27.4	9.5	18.5	1.1	12.7
March	39.6	20.6	30.1	1.8	8.3
April	53.7	32.4	43.1	3.1	6.5
May	67.1	44.6	55.8	3.8	0.2
June	76.2	54.5	65.4	4.7	0
July	80.3	58.7	69.5	3.9	0
August	77.9	56.9	67.4	4.1	0
September	69.8	48.6	59.2	3.8	0
October	55.7	37	46.3	3.1	0.9
November	40.4	25.2	32.8	1.9	6.5
December	27.9	13.5	20.7	1.5	14.4

What to plant when in Wausau

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 25 · Transplant out: May 13
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 11 · Transplant out: May 20
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 13
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 13
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 13
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 13
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 13
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): April 1 · Sow (fall): August 9
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): August 9
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): April 8 · Sow (fall): August 9
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 15 · Sow (fall): July 26
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 22
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 15 · Sow (fall): July 26
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): April 8
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 22
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): April 8 · Sow (fall): August 23

Dates are computed from Wausau'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

Appleton, WI Oshkosh, WI Green Bay, WI Eau Claire, WI Fond Du Lac, WI La Crosse, WI Sheboygan, WI Madison, 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 — Wausau Dwtn Ap, WI, 5 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Wausau Dwtn Ap, WI, 5 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.