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

Planting zone for 54413 — Babcock, WI

ZIP code 54413 (Babcock, Wood County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 54413 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 6

First frostOct 3

2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Babcock, 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 Babcock, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Mather 3 Nw, WI — 13 miles away, elevation 978 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 54413

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 54413 came on Apr 5 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Apr 5

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 Babcock, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54413 is Majik — moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH3.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter80%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Majik, cool-Ponycreek complex, lake plain, 0 to 3 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 54413; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Babcock, WI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,274base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 51 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation35.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mather 3 Nw, WI (13 mi away); precipitation: Babcock 1 Wnw, WI (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

544664b

Pittsville, WI · 11 mi

544954b

Wisconsin Rapids, WI · 12 mi

Port Edwards, WI · 14 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54413

What planting zone is ZIP code 54413?

ZIP code 54413 (Babcock, 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 Babcock, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54413 is May 6; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mather 3 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Babcock, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54413 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54413?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54413 get?

About 35.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Babcock 1 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Babcock, WI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54413 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Majik at the center of ZIP 54413: moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 3.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Babcock, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54413 came on Apr 5 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Babcock, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54413 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).