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

Planting zone for 54871 — Shell Lake, WI

ZIP code 54871 (Shell Lake, Washburn County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 54871 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 14
First frostSep 28
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 Shell Lake, 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 Shell Lake, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 14
Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Spooner Ag Res Stn, WI — 8 miles away, elevation 1,099 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 54871

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 54871 came on Apr 17 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

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.

Trees 45

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 71

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 157

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 133

arctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Vines 3

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 Shell Lake, WI.

Soil in Shell Lake, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54871 is Graycalm — loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Graycalm-Menahga complex, 12 to 30 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 54871; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shell Lake, WI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low1 °Faverage low, January
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,182base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 40 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation31.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall56 inper year; 109 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 21 °F, low 1 °F 21°1° JanFebruary: average high 26 °F, low 4 °F 26°4° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 18 °F 40°18° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 31 °F 54°31° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° SepOctober: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° OctNovember: average high 39 °F, low 23 °F 39°23° NovDecember: average high 26 °F, low 9 °F 26°9° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.79 in precipitation, 11.3 in snowfall 0.8❄11 JanFebruary: 0.80 in precipitation, 9.6 in snowfall 0.8❄10 FebMarch: 1.43 in precipitation, 9.4 in snowfall 1.4❄9 MarApril: 2.77 in precipitation, 4.8 in snowfall 2.8❄5 AprMay: 4.08 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 4.1 MayJune: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.16 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 3.2❄1 OctNovember: 1.66 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 1.7❄6 NovDecember: 1.19 in precipitation, 13.2 in snowfall 1.2❄13 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Spooner Ag Res Stn, WI (8 mi away); precipitation: Spooner Ag Res Stn, WI (8 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.

548134b
Barronett, WI · 6 mi
548454a
Hertel, WI · 8 mi
548014a
Spooner, WI · 8 mi
548704a
Sarona, WI · 11 mi
548294b
Cumberland, WI · 13 mi
548414a
Haugen, WI · 15 mi
548884a
Trego, WI · 17 mi
548374b
Frederic, WI · 18 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54871

What planting zone is ZIP code 54871?

ZIP code 54871 (Shell Lake, 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 Shell Lake, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54871 is May 14; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Spooner Ag Res Stn station.

When is the first frost in Shell Lake, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54871 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54871?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54871 get?

About 31.6 inches of precipitation a year and 56 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Spooner Ag Res Stn station).

How hot do summers get in Shell Lake, WI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54871 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Graycalm at the center of ZIP 54871: loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Shell Lake, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54871 came on Apr 17 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Shell Lake, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54871 is 15 h 43 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).