Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 53093 — Waldo, WI

ZIP code 53093 (Waldo, Sheboygan County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 53093 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 3

First frostOct 16

2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Waldo, WI…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Waldo, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 2

Growing season165 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Hingham Wwtp, WI — within 1 mile, elevation 764 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 53093

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31

BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 16) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 53093 came on Apr 10 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

average
Apr 172026
Apr 10

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 5b in Wisconsin

518 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Waldo, WI.

Soil in Waldo, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 53093 is Kewaunee — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Kewaunee silty clay loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 53093; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Waldo, WI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights148nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,387base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation34.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall49 inper year; 79 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hingham Wwtp, WI (within 1 mile); precipitation: Hingham Wwtp, WI (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

530315b

Hingham, WI · 1 mi

530755b

Random Lake, WI · 7 mi

Sheboygan Falls, WI · 7 mi

530135b

Cedar Grove, WI · 7 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 53093

What planting zone is ZIP code 53093?

ZIP code 53093 (Waldo, WI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Waldo, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 53093 is May 3; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hingham Wwtp station.

When is the first frost in Waldo, WI?

The median first fall frost near 53093 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 165 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 53093?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 53093 get?

About 34.6 inches of precipitation a year and 49 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hingham Wwtp station).

How hot do summers get in Waldo, WI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 53093 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kewaunee at the center of ZIP 53093: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Waldo, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 53093 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Waldo, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 53093 is 15 h 27 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).