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

Planting zone for 53094 — Watertown, WI

ZIP code 53094 (Watertown, Jefferson County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 53094 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 frostApr 28

First frostOct 12

2012 zone5a

Was 5a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Watertown, 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 Watertown, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Watertown Wwtp, WI — 2 miles away, elevation 827 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 53094

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26

BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 53094 came on Mar 30 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

average
Apr 132026
Mar 30

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 Watertown, WI.

Soil in Watertown, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 53094 is Lamartine — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Lamartine silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes.

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 53094; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Watertown, WI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,588base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 23 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation37.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall37 inper year; 63 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: Watertown Wwtp, WI (2 mi away); precipitation: Watertown Wwtp, WI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

530385b

Johnson Creek, WI · 5 mi

Helenville, WI · 10 mi

535515b

Lake Mills, WI · 10 mi

531785b

Sullivan, WI · 10 mi

535495b

Jefferson, WI · 11 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Watertown → · Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 53094

What planting zone is ZIP code 53094?

ZIP code 53094 (Watertown, 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 Watertown, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 53094 is April 28; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watertown Wwtp station.

When is the first frost in Watertown, WI?

The median first fall frost near 53094 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 53094?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 53094 get?

About 37.3 inches of precipitation a year and 37 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watertown Wwtp station).

How hot do summers get in Watertown, WI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 53094 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lamartine at the center of ZIP 53094: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Watertown, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 53094 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Watertown, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 53094 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 53094 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 53094 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.