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

Planting zone for 54103 — Armstrong Creek, WI

ZIP code 54103 (Armstrong Creek, Forest County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 54103 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 24

First frostSep 30

2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Armstrong Creek, 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 Armstrong Creek, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 16

Growing season128 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 10 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Goodman Sanitary Dist, WI — 7 miles away, elevation 1,447 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 54103

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21

BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 5 – Aug 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 54103 came on Apr 22 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

average
Apr 252026
Apr 22

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).

Soil in Armstrong Creek, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54103 is Wabeno — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wabeno-Goodman silt loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes, very stony.

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 54103; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Armstrong Creek, WI

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights186nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,707base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 42 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 41 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation34.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall80 inper year; 136 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: Goodman Sanitary Dist, WI (7 mi away); precipitation: Laona 6 Sw, WI (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

Athelstane, WI · 18 mi

545204b

Crandon, WI · 21 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54103

What planting zone is ZIP code 54103?

ZIP code 54103 (Armstrong Creek, WI) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Armstrong Creek, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54103 is May 24; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Goodman Sanitary Dist station.

When is the first frost in Armstrong Creek, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54103 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 128 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54103?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54103 get?

About 34.1 inches of precipitation a year and 80 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Laona 6 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Armstrong Creek, WI?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54103 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wabeno at the center of ZIP 54103: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Armstrong Creek, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54103 came on Apr 22 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Armstrong Creek, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54103 is 15 h 42 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54103 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54103 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.