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

Planting zone for 54731 — Conrath, WI

ZIP code 54731 (Conrath, Rusk County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost September 22.

Where ZIP 54731 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 27

First frostSep 22

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 Conrath, 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 Conrath, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsJune 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 22median — 10% chance by Sep 6

Growing season117 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 15 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Ladysmith 3w, WI — 8 miles away, elevation 1,129 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 54731

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 15 – May 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 28 – Aug 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 8 – Oct 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 27) and first fall frost (Sep 22) 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 54731 came on Apr 15 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
Apr 15

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 Conrath, WI.

Soil in Conrath, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54731 is Lupton — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lupton and Cathro soils, 0 to 1 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 54731; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Conrath, WI

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low2 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights192nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,770base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 40 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 43 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation32.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall42 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ladysmith 3w, WI (8 mi away); precipitation: Sheldon, WI (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Ladysmith, WI · 12 mi

Glen Flora, WI · 17 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54731

What planting zone is ZIP code 54731?

ZIP code 54731 (Conrath, 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 Conrath, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54731 is May 27; after June 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ladysmith 3w station.

When is the first frost in Conrath, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54731 is September 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 117 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54731?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 1 – Apr 15 and set transplants outside around Jun 3 – Jun 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54731 get?

About 32.3 inches of precipitation a year and 42 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sheldon station).

How hot do summers get in Conrath, WI?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54731 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lupton at the center of ZIP 54731: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Conrath, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54731 came on Apr 15 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Conrath, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54731 is 15 h 40 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54731 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54731 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.