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

Planting zone for 54766 — Sheldon, WI

ZIP code 54766 (Sheldon, Rusk County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost September 23.

Where ZIP 54766 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 20

First frostSep 23

2012 zone4a

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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sheldon, 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 Sheldon, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 23median — 10% chance by Sep 6

Growing season125 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 3.

From the NOAA station Jump Rvr 3e, WI — 6 miles away, elevation 1,266 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 54766

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

BeansSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 29 – Aug 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 9 – Oct 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 20) and first fall frost (Sep 23) 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 54766 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 4a in Wisconsin

419 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. 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 Sheldon, WI.

Soil in Sheldon, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54766 is Magnor — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter8%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Magnor, very stony and Magnor silt loams, 0 to 4 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 54766; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sheldon, WI

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low4 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights178nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,980base 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)

Precipitation34.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall70 inper year; 115 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: Jump Rvr 3e, WI (6 mi away); precipitation: Jump Rvr 3e, WI (6 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.

Glen Flora, WI · 13 mi

Ladysmith, WI · 17 mi

544474a

Lublin, WI · 17 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54766

What planting zone is ZIP code 54766?

ZIP code 54766 (Sheldon, 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 Sheldon, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54766 is May 20; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jump Rvr 3e station.

When is the first frost in Sheldon, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54766 is September 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 125 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54766?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 25 – Apr 8 and set transplants outside around May 27 – Jun 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54766 get?

About 34.8 inches of precipitation a year and 70 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jump Rvr 3e station).

How hot do summers get in Sheldon, WI?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54766 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Magnor at the center of ZIP 54766: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sheldon, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54766 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 Sheldon, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54766 is 15 h 40 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).