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

Planting zone for 53184 — Walworth, WI

ZIP code 53184 (Walworth, Walworth 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 14.

Where ZIP 53184 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 14
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 Walworth, 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 Walworth, 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 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season168 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Delavan Wwtp, WI — 8 miles away, elevation 883 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 53184

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 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 53184 came on Mar 30 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

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.

Trees 49

Shrubs 93

Wildflowers & perennials 197

Grasses 159

Vines 5

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 Walworth, WI.

Soil in Walworth, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 53184 is Plano — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Plano silt loam, gravelly substratum, 0 to 2 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 53184; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Walworth, WI

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,696base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 18 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 03 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall32 inper year; 57 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 29 °F, low 13 °F 29°13° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 16 °F 33°16° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 40 °F 61°40° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 29 °F 46°29° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 20 °F 35°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.74 in precipitation, 10 in snowfall 1.7❄10 JanFebruary: 1.70 in precipitation, 8.4 in snowfall 1.7❄8 FebMarch: 2.25 in precipitation, 4.4 in snowfall 2.3❄4 MarApril: 3.57 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 3.6❄1 AprMay: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.94 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 2.93 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 2.41 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 2.4❄2 NovDecember: 2.03 in precipitation, 6.3 in snowfall 2.0❄6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Delavan Wwtp, WI (8 mi away); precipitation: Harvard, IL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 53184

What planting zone is ZIP code 53184?

ZIP code 53184 (Walworth, 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 Walworth, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 53184 is April 28; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Delavan Wwtp station.

When is the first frost in Walworth, WI?

The median first fall frost near 53184 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 168 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 53184?

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 53184 get?

About 37.5 inches of precipitation a year and 32 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Harvard station).

How hot do summers get in Walworth, WI?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 53184 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Plano at the center of ZIP 53184: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Walworth, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 53184 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Walworth, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 53184 is 15 h 18 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).