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

Planting zone for 54561 — Star Lake, WI

ZIP code 54561 (Star Lake, Vilas County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 54561 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 19
First frostOct 3
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 Star 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 Star Lake, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 18
Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 8 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station St Germain, WI — 11 miles away, elevation 1,644 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 54561

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16
BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 54561 came on Apr 23 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29).

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).

Soil in Star Lake, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54561 is Pence — sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pence sandy loam, 6 to 15 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 54561; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Star Lake, WI

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July
Winter low1 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights191nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,688base 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)
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 20 °F, low 1 °F 20°1° JanFebruary: average high 25 °F, low 2 °F 25°2° FebMarch: average high 36 °F, low 13 °F 36°13° MarApril: average high 49 °F, low 26 °F 49°26° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 51 °F 72°51° JunJuly: average high 75 °F, low 56 °F 75°56° JulAugust: average high 73 °F, low 55 °F 73°55° AugSeptember: average high 66 °F, low 47 °F 66°47° SepOctober: average high 52 °F, low 34 °F 52°34° OctNovember: average high 37 °F, low 22 °F 37°22° NovDecember: average high 25 °F, low 9 °F 25°9° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.26 in precipitation 1.3 JanFebruary: 1.10 in precipitation 1.1 FebMarch: 1.83 in precipitation 1.8 MarApril: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 2.03 in precipitation 2.0 NovDecember: 1.66 in precipitation 1.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: St Germain, WI (11 mi away); precipitation: Buckatabon, WI (6 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.

545604b
Sayner, WI · 6 mi
545404a
Land O Lakes, WI · 6 mi
545194b
Conover, WI · 8 mi
545584a
Saint Germain, WI · 11 mi
545124a
Boulder Junction, WI · 11 mi
545214b
Eagle River, WI · 13 mi
545684b
Woodruff, WI · 14 mi
499694b
Watersmeet, MI · 16 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54561

What planting zone is ZIP code 54561?

ZIP code 54561 (Star 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 Star Lake, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54561 is May 19; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, St Germain station.

When is the first frost in Star Lake, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54561 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54561?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54561 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Star Lake, WI?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54561 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pence at the center of ZIP 54561: sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 54561 came on Apr 23 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Star Lake, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54561 is 15 h 46 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54561 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54561 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.