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

Planting zone for 54563 — Tony, WI

ZIP code 54563 (Tony, Rusk County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 54563 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 7
First frostOct 3
2012 zone3b

Was 3b 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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Tony, 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 Tony, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 18
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Big Falls Hydro, WI — 7 miles away, elevation 1,204 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 54563

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
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 7) 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 54563 came on Apr 16 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

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 Tony, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54563 is Freeon — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter8%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Freeon, very stony and Freeon silt loams, 2 to 6 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 54563; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tony, WI

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low2 °Faverage low, January
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights190nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,139base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 41 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 42 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation33.7 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 22 °F, low 2 °F 22°2° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 4 °F 27°4° FebMarch: average high 39 °F, low 17 °F 39°17° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 31 °F 53°31° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 55 °F 75°55° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 48 °F 69°48° SepOctober: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° OctNovember: average high 40 °F, low 24 °F 40°24° NovDecember: average high 27 °F, low 11 °F 27°11° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.03 in precipitation 1.0 JanFebruary: 1.06 in precipitation 1.1 FebMarch: 1.74 in precipitation 1.7 MarApril: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 1.96 in precipitation 2.0 NovDecember: 1.42 in precipitation 1.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Big Falls Hydro, WI (7 mi away); precipitation: Big Falls Hydro, WI (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

545264a
Glen Flora, WI · 7 mi
548484a
Ladysmith, WI · 8 mi
547314b
Conrath, WI · 10 mi
547664a
Sheldon, WI · 10 mi
545304a
Hawkins, WI · 13 mi
547454b
Holcombe, WI · 16 mi
544334a
Gilman, WI · 18 mi
545374a
Kennan, WI · 19 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54563

What planting zone is ZIP code 54563?

ZIP code 54563 (Tony, 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 Tony, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54563 is May 7; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Falls Hydro station.

When is the first frost in Tony, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54563 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54563?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54563 get?

About 33.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Falls Hydro station).

How hot do summers get in Tony, WI?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54563 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Freeon at the center of ZIP 54563: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Tony, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54563 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tony, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54563 is 15 h 41 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54563 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54563 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.