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

Planting zone for 54822 — Cameron, WI

ZIP code 54822 (Cameron, Barron County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 54822 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 8
First frostOct 2
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 Cameron, 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 Cameron, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 19
Growing season145 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Rice Lake, WI — 4 miles away, elevation 1,102 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 54822

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5
BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 54822 came on Apr 15 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

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.

Trees 48

Shrubs 89

Wildflowers & perennials 178

Grasses 152

Vines 4

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 Cameron, WI.

Soil in Cameron, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54822 is Chetek — sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Chetek sandy loam, 1 to 6 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 54822; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cameron, WI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low2 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights173nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,315base 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)
Precipitation31.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall53 inper year; 104 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 22 °F, low 2 °F 22°2° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 5 °F 27°5° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 18 °F 40°18° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F 80°56° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° OctNovember: average high 40 °F, low 23 °F 40°23° NovDecember: average high 27 °F, low 10 °F 27°10° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.89 in precipitation, 10.5 in snowfall 0.9❄11 JanFebruary: 0.82 in precipitation, 10.7 in snowfall 0.8❄11 FebMarch: 1.47 in precipitation, 8.9 in snowfall 1.5❄9 MarApril: 2.77 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 2.8❄4 AprMay: 3.85 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 3.9❄1 MayJune: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 3.03 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 3.0❄1 OctNovember: 1.68 in precipitation, 5.7 in snowfall 1.7❄6 NovDecember: 1.22 in precipitation, 11.9 in snowfall 1.2❄12 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rice Lake, WI (4 mi away); precipitation: Rice Lake, WI (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54822

What planting zone is ZIP code 54822?

ZIP code 54822 (Cameron, 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 Cameron, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54822 is May 8; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rice Lake station.

When is the first frost in Cameron, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54822 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 145 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54822?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54822 get?

About 31.4 inches of precipitation a year and 53 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rice Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Cameron, WI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54822 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chetek at the center of ZIP 54822: sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Cameron, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54822 came on Apr 15 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cameron, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54822 is 15 h 40 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54822 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54822 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.