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

Planting zone for 54720 — Altoona, WI

ZIP code 54720 (Altoona, Eau Claire County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 54720 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 frostApr 24

First frostOct 14

2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Altoona, 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 Altoona, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 26

Growing season170 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Eau Claire 3sw, WI — 4 miles away, elevation 879 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 54720

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 54720 came on Apr 11 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

average
Apr 172026
Apr 11

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 Altoona, WI.

Soil in Altoona, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54720 is Simescreek — moderately decomposed plant material, excessively drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH3.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter80%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Simescreek sand, 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 54720; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Altoona, WI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low8 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,719base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation32.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall54 inper year; 95 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: Eau Claire 3sw, WI (4 mi away); precipitation: Eau Claire 3sw, WI (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

547024b

Eau Claire, WI · 3 mi

547034b

Eau Claire, WI · 5 mi

547014b

Eau Claire, WI · 5 mi

547424b

Fall Creek, WI · 9 mi

547744b

Chippewa Falls, WI · 9 mi

547294b

Chippewa Falls, WI · 10 mi

547394b

Elk Mound, WI · 13 mi

547644b

Rock Falls, WI · 14 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54720

What planting zone is ZIP code 54720?

ZIP code 54720 (Altoona, 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 Altoona, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54720 is April 24; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eau Claire 3sw station.

When is the first frost in Altoona, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54720 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54720?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54720 get?

About 32.8 inches of precipitation a year and 54 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eau Claire 3sw station).

How hot do summers get in Altoona, WI?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54720 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Simescreek at the center of ZIP 54720: moderately decomposed plant material, excessively drained, pH about 3.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Altoona, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54720 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Altoona, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54720 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).