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

Planting zone for 54874 — South Range, WI

ZIP code 54874 (South Range, Douglas County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 54874 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 18
First frostOct 3
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 South Range, 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 South Range, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Pattison Ranger Staion, WI — 9 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 54874

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
TomatoesTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15
BeansSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 54874 came on May 2 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28).

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

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 89

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 178

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 152

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic 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 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 4

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 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °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 South Range, WI.

Soil in South Range, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54874 is Amnicon — silty clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Amnicon-Cuttre complex, 0 to 4 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 54874; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South Range, WI

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low1 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights180nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,821base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 50 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

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 20 °F, low 1 °F 20°1° JanFebruary: average high 26 °F, low 5 °F 26°5° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 16 °F 37°16° MarApril: average high 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° AprMay: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 48 °F 68°48° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 36 °F 55°36° OctNovember: average high 39 °F, low 23 °F 39°23° NovDecember: average high 26 °F, low 10 °F 26°10° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.90 in precipitation 0.9 JanFebruary: 1.91 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 1.90 in precipitation 1.9 MarApril: 2.99 in precipitation 3.0 AprMay: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.91 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 SepOctober: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 1.84 in precipitation 1.8 NovDecember: 1.36 in precipitation 1.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pattison Ranger Staion, 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.

548424a
Hawthorne, WI · 6 mi
548644b
Poplar, WI · 7 mi
548804b
Superior, WI · 9 mi
548494a
Lake Nebagamon, WI · 12 mi
548544b
Maple, WI · 14 mi
548364a
Foxboro, WI · 15 mi
558025a
Duluth, MN · 15 mi
558074b
Duluth, MN · 16 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54874

What planting zone is ZIP code 54874?

ZIP code 54874 (South Range, 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 South Range, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54874 is May 18; after June 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pattison Ranger Staion station.

When is the first frost in South Range, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54874 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54874?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 23 – Apr 6 and set transplants outside around May 25 – Jun 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54874 get?

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

How hot do summers get in South Range, WI?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54874 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Amnicon at the center of ZIP 54874: silty clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in South Range, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54874 came on May 2 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South Range, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54874 is 15 h 50 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54874 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54874 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.