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

Planting zone for 54842 — Hawthorne, WI

ZIP code 54842 (Hawthorne, Douglas County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 54842 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 12

First frostOct 2

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 Hawthorne, 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 Hawthorne, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 17

Growing season142 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Solon Springs, WI — 9 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 54842

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

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 12) 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 54842 came on Apr 30 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26).

average
Apr 262026
Apr 30

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).

Soil in Hawthorne, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54842 is Springstead — moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter73%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Springstead sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes, stony.

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 54842; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hawthorne, WI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low4 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights193nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,183base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 49 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 34 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation35.7 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: Solon Springs, WI (9 mi away); precipitation: Superior 14.8 S, WI (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

548744b

South Range, WI · 6 mi

548494a

Lake Nebagamon, WI · 7 mi

548644b

Poplar, WI · 8 mi

548734a

Solon Springs, WI · 13 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54842

What planting zone is ZIP code 54842?

ZIP code 54842 (Hawthorne, 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 Hawthorne, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54842 is May 12; after May 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Solon Springs station.

When is the first frost in Hawthorne, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54842 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 142 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54842?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54842 get?

About 35.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Superior 14.8 S station).

How hot do summers get in Hawthorne, WI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54842 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Springstead at the center of ZIP 54842: moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hawthorne, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54842 came on Apr 30 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hawthorne, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54842 is 15 h 49 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).