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

Planting zone for 54623 — Coon Valley, WI

ZIP code 54623 (Coon Valley, Vernon County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 54623 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostApr 27

First frostOct 13

2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Coon Valley, 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 Coon Valley, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station La Crosse WFO, WI — 11 miles away, elevation 1,306 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 54623

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 54623 came on Mar 28 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
Mar 28

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 5a in Wisconsin

510 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Coon Valley, WI.

Soil in Coon Valley, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54623 is Brinkman — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Brinkman silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 54623; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Coon Valley, WI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low8 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights148nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,561base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 55 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation37.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall54 inper year; 88 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: La Crosse WFO, WI (11 mi away); precipitation: La Crosse WFO, WI (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

West Salem, WI · 13 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54623

What planting zone is ZIP code 54623?

ZIP code 54623 (Coon Valley, WI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Coon Valley, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54623 is April 27; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, La Crosse WFO station.

When is the first frost in Coon Valley, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54623 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54623?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54623 get?

About 37.5 inches of precipitation a year and 54 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, La Crosse WFO station).

How hot do summers get in Coon Valley, WI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54623 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brinkman at the center of ZIP 54623: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Coon Valley, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54623 came on Mar 28 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Coon Valley, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54623 is 15 h 27 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54623 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54623 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.