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

Planting zone for 54542 — Long Lake, WI

ZIP code 54542 (Long Lake, Florence County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is June 4 and the first fall frost September 10.

Where ZIP 54542 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 4

First frostSep 10

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 Long Lake, 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 Long Lake, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 10median — 10% chance by Aug 21

Growing season95 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 23 and returns around September 24.

From the NOAA station Stambaugh 2sse, MI — 11 miles away, elevation 1,450 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 54542

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 14 – May 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 14 – May 28

LettuceSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 18 – Jul 2

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 16 – Jul 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 27 – Oct 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 4) and first fall frost (Sep 10) 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 54542 came on Apr 22 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26).

average
Apr 262026
Apr 22

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 Long Lake, WI.

Soil in Long Lake, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54542 is Padus — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Padus-Pence sandy loams, 15 to 35 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 54542; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Long Lake, WI

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low0 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights211nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,442base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 45 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 39 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation30.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall67 inper year; 132 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: Stambaugh 2sse, MI (11 mi away); precipitation: Stambaugh 2sse, MI (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Stambaugh, MI · 12 mi

545114b

Argonne, WI · 13 mi

499354a

Iron River, MI · 17 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54542

What planting zone is ZIP code 54542?

ZIP code 54542 (Long Lake, 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 Long Lake, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54542 is June 4; after June 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stambaugh 2sse station.

When is the first frost in Long Lake, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54542 is September 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 95 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54542?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 9 – Apr 23 and set transplants outside around Jun 11 – Jun 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54542 get?

About 30.5 inches of precipitation a year and 67 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stambaugh 2sse station).

How hot do summers get in Long Lake, WI?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54542 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Padus at the center of ZIP 54542: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Long Lake, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54542 came on Apr 22 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Long Lake, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54542 is 15 h 45 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54542 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54542 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.