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

Planting zone for 54159 — Porterfield, WI

ZIP code 54159 (Porterfield, Marinette County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 54159 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 4
First frostOct 11
2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Porterfield, 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 Porterfield, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Marinette, WI — 12 miles away, elevation 591 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 54159

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 54159 came on Apr 20 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (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).

Native plants for zone 5a in Wisconsin

510 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 48

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 93

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 191

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 158

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 5

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

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 Porterfield, WI.

Soil in Porterfield, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54159 is Seelyeville — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer
pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter62%high
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Seelyeville and Markey mucks, interdrumlin, 0 to 1 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 54159; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Porterfield, WI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low10 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights153nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,255base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 39 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 44 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation33.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall44 inper year; 87 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 26 °F, low 10 °F 26°10° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 12 °F 29°12° FebMarch: average high 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 33 °F 51°33° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 44 °F 64°44° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 55 °F 74°55° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 59 °F 78°59° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 51 °F 70°51° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 39 °F 57°39° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 28 °F 43°28° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 17 °F 32°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 1.69 in precipitation, 11.7 in snowfall 1.7❄12 JanFebruary: 1.18 in precipitation, 11.1 in snowfall 1.2❄11 FebMarch: 1.88 in precipitation, 7.6 in snowfall 1.9❄8 MarApril: 2.97 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 3.0❄3 AprMay: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 3.26 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 3.29 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.3 OctNovember: 2.35 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 2.4❄2 NovDecember: 1.82 in precipitation, 8 in snowfall 1.8❄8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Marinette, WI (12 mi away); precipitation: Marinette, WI (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

541575a
Peshtigo, WI · 10 mi
541435b
Marinette, WI · 11 mi
541774b
Wausaukee, WI · 12 mi
498935a
Wallace, MI · 13 mi
541144b
Crivitz, WI · 14 mi
541125a
Coleman, WI · 14 mi
498585b
Menominee, MI · 14 mi
498875a
Stephenson, MI · 15 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54159

What planting zone is ZIP code 54159?

ZIP code 54159 (Porterfield, WI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Porterfield, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54159 is May 4; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marinette station.

When is the first frost in Porterfield, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54159 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54159?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54159 get?

About 33.1 inches of precipitation a year and 44 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marinette station).

How hot do summers get in Porterfield, WI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54159 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Seelyeville at the center of ZIP 54159: muck, very poorly drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Porterfield, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54159 came on Apr 20 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Porterfield, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54159 is 15 h 39 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).