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

Planting zone for 54548 — Minocqua, WI

ZIP code 54548 (Minocqua, Oneida County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 54548 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.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F

Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C

Last frostMay 23

First frostSep 27

2012 zone4a

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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Minocqua, 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 Minocqua, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 9

Growing season127 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 10 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Minocqua, WI — 5 miles away, elevation 1,601 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 54548

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 11 – May 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20

BeansSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 2 – Aug 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 23) and first fall frost (Sep 27) 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 54548 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 4a in Wisconsin

419 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. 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 Minocqua, WI.

Soil in Minocqua, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54548 is Carbondale — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter60%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Carbondale, Lupton, and Markey mucks, 0 to 1 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 54548; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Minocqua, WI

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights199nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,670base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 44 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)

Precipitation33.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall99 inper year; 136 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: Minocqua, WI (5 mi away); precipitation: Minocqua, WI (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

545314a

Hazelhurst, WI · 8 mi

545384a

Lac Du Flambeau, WI · 9 mi

545684b

Woodruff, WI · 10 mi

545394a

Lake Tomahawk, WI · 13 mi

545294a

Harshaw, WI · 15 mi

545434b

Mc Naughton, WI · 17 mi

545124a

Boulder Junction, WI · 18 mi

545604b

Sayner, WI · 18 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54548

What planting zone is ZIP code 54548?

ZIP code 54548 (Minocqua, WI) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Minocqua, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54548 is May 23; after June 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Minocqua station.

When is the first frost in Minocqua, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54548 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 127 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54548?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 28 – Apr 11 and set transplants outside around May 30 – Jun 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54548 get?

About 33.8 inches of precipitation a year and 99 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Minocqua station).

How hot do summers get in Minocqua, 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 54548 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Carbondale at the center of ZIP 54548: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Minocqua, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54548 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 Minocqua, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54548 is 15 h 44 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).