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

Planting zone for 54952 — Menasha, WI

ZIP code 54952 (Menasha, Winnebago County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 54952 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 4
First frostOct 6
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Menasha, 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 Menasha, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 23
Growing season154 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Appleton, WI — 7 miles away, elevation 791 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 54952

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 54952 came on Apr 11 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18).

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 Menasha, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54952 is Manawa — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Manawa-Kewaunee-Poygan 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 54952; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Menasha, WI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low10 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights157nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,525base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 31 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 52 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation34 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 25 °F, low 10 °F 25°10° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 12 °F 29°12° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 46 °F 67°46° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 57 °F 77°57° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 60 °F 79°60° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 51 °F 72°51° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 28 °F 43°28° NovDecember: average high 31 °F, low 17 °F 31°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.45 in precipitation 1.4 JanFebruary: 1.39 in precipitation 1.4 FebMarch: 2.31 in precipitation 2.3 MarApril: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 2.02 in precipitation 2.0 NovDecember: 1.80 in precipitation 1.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Appleton, WI (7 mi away); precipitation: Neenah 1.1 Ene, WI (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

549155b
Appleton, WI · 3 mi
541695b
Sherwood, WI · 3 mi
541135b
Combined Locks, WI · 4 mi
541365b
Kimberly, WI · 5 mi
549115b
Appleton, WI · 6 mi
541405b
Little Chute, WI · 6 mi
549575b
Neenah, WI · 6 mi
541295b
Hilbert, WI · 9 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54952

What planting zone is ZIP code 54952?

ZIP code 54952 (Menasha, WI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Menasha, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54952 is May 4; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Appleton station.

When is the first frost in Menasha, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54952 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54952?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 54952 get?

About 34 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Neenah 1.1 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Menasha, WI?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54952 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Manawa at the center of ZIP 54952: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Menasha, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54952 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Menasha, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54952 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 54952 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 54952 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.