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

Planting zone for 54489 — Vesper, WI

ZIP code 54489 (Vesper, Wood County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 54489 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 8
First frostOct 1
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 Vesper, 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 Vesper, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 19
Growing season145 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Wisconsin Rapids Alexander Field, WI — 11 miles away, elevation 1,020 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 54489

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5
BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 54489 came on Apr 9 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

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.

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 89

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 178

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 152

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 4

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 °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 Vesper, WI.

Soil in Vesper, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54489 is Vesper — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Vesper silt loam, 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 54489; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vesper, WI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low8 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,411base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 33 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 50 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation34.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall48 inper year; 102 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 25 °F, low 8 °F 25°8° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 11 °F 29°11° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 22 °F 42°22° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° NovDecember: average high 30 °F, low 14 °F 30°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.20 in precipitation, 12.2 in snowfall 1.2❄12 JanFebruary: 1.21 in precipitation, 10.2 in snowfall 1.2❄10 FebMarch: 1.94 in precipitation, 6.9 in snowfall 1.9❄7 MarApril: 3.38 in precipitation, 3 in snowfall 3.4❄3 AprMay: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 2.76 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 2.8 OctNovember: 1.87 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 1.9❄3 NovDecember: 1.56 in precipitation, 12 in snowfall 1.6❄12 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Wisconsin Rapids Alexander Field, WI (11 mi away); precipitation: Wis Rapids Grand Av B, WI (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

544954b
Wisconsin Rapids, WI · 5 mi
544104b
Arpin, WI · 6 mi
544694b
Port Edwards, WI · 10 mi
544754b
Rudolph, WI · 11 mi
544544b
Milladore, WI · 11 mi
544154b
Blenker, WI · 12 mi
544414b
Hewitt, WI · 13 mi
544134b
Babcock, WI · 14 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54489

What planting zone is ZIP code 54489?

ZIP code 54489 (Vesper, 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 Vesper, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54489 is May 8; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wisconsin Rapids Alexander Field station.

When is the first frost in Vesper, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54489 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 145 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54489?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54489 get?

About 34.2 inches of precipitation a year and 48 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wis Rapids Grand Av B station).

How hot do summers get in Vesper, WI?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54489 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vesper at the center of ZIP 54489: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Vesper, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54489 came on Apr 9 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Vesper, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54489 is 15 h 33 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).