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

Planting zone for 54848 — Ladysmith, WI

ZIP code 54848 (Ladysmith, Rusk County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost September 22.

Where ZIP 54848 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 27

First frostSep 22

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 Ladysmith, 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 Ladysmith, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 22median — 10% chance by Sep 6

Growing season117 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 15 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Ladysmith 3w, WI — 4 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 54848

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 15 – May 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 28 – Aug 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 8 – Oct 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 27) and first fall frost (Sep 22) 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 54848 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 Ladysmith, WI.

Soil in Ladysmith, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54848 is Antigo — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Antigo silt loam, 6 to 15 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 54848; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ladysmith, WI

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low2 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights192nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,770base 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)

Precipitation35.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall52 inper year; 111 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: Ladysmith 3w, WI (4 mi away); precipitation: Ladysmith 3w, 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.

Glen Flora, WI · 12 mi

Weyerhaeuser, WI · 18 mi

547454b

Holcombe, WI · 18 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54848

What planting zone is ZIP code 54848?

ZIP code 54848 (Ladysmith, 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 Ladysmith, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54848 is May 27; after June 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ladysmith 3w station.

When is the first frost in Ladysmith, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54848 is September 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 117 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54848?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 1 – Apr 15 and set transplants outside around Jun 3 – Jun 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54848 get?

About 35.8 inches of precipitation a year and 52 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ladysmith 3w station).

How hot do summers get in Ladysmith, WI?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54848 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Antigo at the center of ZIP 54848: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ladysmith, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54848 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 Ladysmith, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54848 is 15 h 41 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).