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

Planting zone for 54754 — Merrillan, WI

ZIP code 54754 (Merrillan, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 54754 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 10

First frostOct 1

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 Merrillan, 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 Merrillan, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 18

Growing season144 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Neillsville 3ese, WI — 14 miles away, elevation 1,079 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 54754

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 54754 came on Apr 1 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

average
Apr 172026
Apr 1

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 Merrillan, WI.

Soil in Merrillan, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54754 is Fairchild — moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH3.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter80%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fairchild-Elmlake complex, 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 54754; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Merrillan, WI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights177nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,213base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 32 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation38.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Neillsville 3ese, WI (14 mi away); precipitation: Black River Falls 1.7 Nne, WI (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

546114b

Alma Center, WI · 9 mi

547464b

Humbird, WI · 10 mi

544564b

Neillsville, WI · 11 mi

546154b

Black River Falls, WI · 11 mi

546354b

Hixton, WI · 14 mi

547414b

Fairchild, WI · 16 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54754

What planting zone is ZIP code 54754?

ZIP code 54754 (Merrillan, 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 Merrillan, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54754 is May 10; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Neillsville 3ese station.

When is the first frost in Merrillan, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54754 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 144 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54754?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54754 get?

About 38.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Black River Falls 1.7 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Merrillan, WI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54754 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fairchild at the center of ZIP 54754: moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 3.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Merrillan, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54754 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Merrillan, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54754 is 15 h 32 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54754 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54754 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.