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

Planting zone for 54819 — Bruce, WI

ZIP code 54819 (Bruce, Rusk County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 54819 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 9

First frostSep 29

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 Bruce, 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 Bruce, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 14

Growing season140 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Weyerhaeuser 1n, WI — 6 miles away, elevation 1,194 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 54819

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 54819 came on Apr 16 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

average
Apr 192026
Apr 16

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 Bruce, WI.

Soil in Bruce, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54819 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 54819; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bruce, WI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights176nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,205base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation34.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall49 inper year; 109 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: Weyerhaeuser 1n, WI (6 mi away); precipitation: Weyerhaeuser 1n, WI (6 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.

548954a

Weyerhaeuser, WI · 8 mi

548484a

Ladysmith, WI · 10 mi

Birchwood, WI · 18 mi

547454b

Holcombe, WI · 18 mi

547574b

New Auburn, WI · 20 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54819

What planting zone is ZIP code 54819?

ZIP code 54819 (Bruce, 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 Bruce, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54819 is May 9; after May 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Weyerhaeuser 1n station.

When is the first frost in Bruce, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54819 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 140 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54819?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54819 get?

About 34.2 inches of precipitation a year and 49 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Weyerhaeuser 1n station).

How hot do summers get in Bruce, WI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54819 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lupton at the center of ZIP 54819: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Bruce, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54819 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bruce, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54819 is 15 h 41 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54819 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54819 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.