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

Planting zone for 54554 — Phelps, WI

ZIP code 54554 (Phelps, Vilas County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 25 and the first fall frost September 24.

Where ZIP 54554 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 25

First frostSep 24

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 Phelps, 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 Phelps, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostSeptember 24median — 10% chance by Sep 8

Growing season121 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Eagle Rvr, WI — 14 miles away, elevation 1,624 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 54554

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 13 – May 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 30 – Aug 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 10 – Oct 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 25) and first fall frost (Sep 24) 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 54554 came on Apr 22 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28).

average
Apr 282026
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 Phelps, WI.

Soil in Phelps, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54554 is Monico — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Monico silt loam, 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 54554; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Phelps, WI

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low2 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights191nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,723base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 46 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 38 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation31.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall94 inper year; 133 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: Eagle Rvr, WI (14 mi away); precipitation: Phelps, WI (within 1 mile). 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.

545194b

Conover, WI · 10 mi

545214b

Eagle River, WI · 13 mi

499694b

Watersmeet, MI · 15 mi

545404a

Land O Lakes, WI · 16 mi

499354a

Iron River, MI · 17 mi

545614b

Star Lake, WI · 17 mi

545624b

Three Lakes, WI · 18 mi

545584a

Saint Germain, WI · 23 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54554

What planting zone is ZIP code 54554?

ZIP code 54554 (Phelps, 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 Phelps, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54554 is May 25; after June 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eagle Rvr station.

When is the first frost in Phelps, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54554 is September 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 121 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54554?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 30 – Apr 13 and set transplants outside around Jun 1 – Jun 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54554 get?

About 31.3 inches of precipitation a year and 94 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Phelps station).

How hot do summers get in Phelps, WI?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54554 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Monico at the center of ZIP 54554: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Phelps, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54554 came on Apr 22 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Phelps, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54554 is 15 h 46 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54554 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54554 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.