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

Planting zone for 54494 — Wisconsin Rapids, WI

ZIP code 54494 (Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 54494 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 9
First frostSep 30
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 Wisconsin Rapids, 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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 17
Growing season142 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Wisconsin Rapids, WI — 5 miles away, elevation 1,034 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 54494

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
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 9) 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 54494 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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

Soil in Wisconsin Rapids, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54494 is Friendship — moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.7strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Friendship loamy sand, 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 54494; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low5 °Faverage low, January
Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights166nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,285base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 32 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)
Precipitation33.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 24 °F, low 5 °F 24°5° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 8 °F 29°8° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 19 °F 41°19° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 31 °F 56°31° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 44 °F 68°44° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° OctNovember: average high 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° NovDecember: average high 30 °F, low 12 °F 30°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.15 in precipitation 1.1 JanFebruary: 1.06 in precipitation 1.1 FebMarch: 1.84 in precipitation 1.8 MarApril: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 2.84 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 1.84 in precipitation 1.8 NovDecember: 1.49 in precipitation 1.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Wisconsin Rapids, WI (5 mi away); precipitation: Wisconsin Rapids, WI (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

544694b
Port Edwards, WI · 7 mi
549214b
Bancroft, WI · 8 mi
544754b
Rudolph, WI · 10 mi
544674b
Plover, WI · 11 mi
544574b
Nekoosa, WI · 11 mi
544954b
Wisconsin Rapids, WI · 12 mi
544815a
Stevens Point, WI · 13 mi
549664b
Plainfield, WI · 15 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Wisconsin Rapids → · Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54494

What planting zone is ZIP code 54494?

ZIP code 54494 (Wisconsin Rapids, 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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54494 is May 9; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wisconsin Rapids station.

When is the first frost in Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54494 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 142 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54494?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54494 get?

About 33.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wisconsin Rapids station).

How hot do summers get in Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54494 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Friendship at the center of ZIP 54494: moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.7 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Wisconsin Rapids, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54494 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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54494 is 15 h 32 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).