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

Planting zone for 54525 — Gile, WI

ZIP code 54525 (Gile, Iron County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 54525 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 24

First frostSep 28

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 Gile, 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 Gile, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 13

Growing season128 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 8 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Hurley, WI — 2 miles away, elevation 1,444 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 54525

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21

BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 54525 came on Apr 25 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27).

average
Apr 272026
Apr 25

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 Gile, WI.

Soil in Gile, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54525 is Gogebic — moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gogebic silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes, very stony, rocky.

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 54525; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gile, WI

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low3 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights185nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,829base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 49 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 35 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation37.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall155 inper year; 143 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: Hurley, WI (2 mi away); precipitation: Hurley, WI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54525

What planting zone is ZIP code 54525?

ZIP code 54525 (Gile, 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 Gile, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54525 is May 24; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hurley station.

When is the first frost in Gile, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54525 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 128 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54525?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54525 get?

About 37.4 inches of precipitation a year and 155 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hurley station).

How hot do summers get in Gile, 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 54525 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gogebic at the center of ZIP 54525: moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

Did spring come early in Gile, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54525 came on Apr 25 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gile, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54525 is 15 h 49 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54525 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54525 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.