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

Planting zone for 54428 — Elcho, WI

ZIP code 54428 (Elcho, Langlade County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is June 3 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 54428 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 frostJun 3

First frostSep 18

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 Elcho, 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 Elcho, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 18median — 10% chance by Sep 1

Growing season106 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 19 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station North Pelican, WI — 14 miles away, elevation 1,611 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 54428

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 13 – May 27

LettuceSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 17 – Jul 1

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 24 – Aug 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 4 – Oct 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 3) and first fall frost (Sep 18) 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 54428 came on Apr 20 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

average
Apr 252026
Apr 20

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 4b in Wisconsin

486 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. 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 Elcho, WI.

Soil in Elcho, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54428 is Antigo — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Antigo silt loam, 6 to 15 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 54428; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elcho, WI

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low4 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights207nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,560base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation33.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall65 inper year; 115 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: North Pelican, WI (14 mi away); precipitation: Summit Lake, WI (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

544854b

Summit Lake, WI · 4 mi

544634b

Pelican Lake, WI · 5 mi

544624b

Pearson, WI · 8 mi

544244b

Deerbrook, WI · 11 mi

Rhinelander, WI · 17 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54428

What planting zone is ZIP code 54428?

ZIP code 54428 (Elcho, 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 Elcho, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54428 is June 3; after June 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, North Pelican station.

When is the first frost in Elcho, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54428 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 106 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54428?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 8 – Apr 22 and set transplants outside around Jun 10 – Jun 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54428 get?

About 33.4 inches of precipitation a year and 65 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Summit Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Elcho, WI?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54428 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Antigo at the center of ZIP 54428: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Elcho, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54428 came on Apr 20 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elcho, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54428 is 15 h 41 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54428 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54428 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.