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

Planting zone for 54969 — Readfield, WI

ZIP code 54969 (Readfield, Waupaca County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 54969 is

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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 4
First frostOct 6
2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Readfield, 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 Readfield, 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 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 22
Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station New London, WI — 7 miles away, elevation 801 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 54969

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 54969 came on Apr 11 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

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 5a in Wisconsin

510 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 93

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 191

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 158

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 5

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 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °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 Readfield, WI.

Soil in Readfield, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 54969 is Whalan — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Whalan loam, 2 to 6 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 54969; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Readfield, WI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low8 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights164nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,378base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 31 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 51 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation34.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall46 inper year; 85 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 25 °F, low 8 °F 25°8° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 11 °F 29°11° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 38 °F 58°38° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° NovDecember: average high 30 °F, low 15 °F 30°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.28 in precipitation, 10.8 in snowfall 1.3❄11 JanFebruary: 1.18 in precipitation, 11 in snowfall 1.2❄11 FebMarch: 2.08 in precipitation, 6.8 in snowfall 2.1❄7 MarApril: 3.46 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 3.5❄4 AprMay: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 2.92 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 2.9 OctNovember: 1.90 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 1.9❄2 NovDecember: 1.81 in precipitation, 11 in snowfall 1.8❄11 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: New London, WI (7 mi away); precipitation: New London, WI (7 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.

549405a
Fremont, WI · 5 mi
549315a
Dale, WI · 5 mi
549475b
Larsen, WI · 6 mi
549445a
Hortonville, WI · 8 mi
549835a
Weyauwega, WI · 9 mi
549615a
New London, WI · 10 mi
549865b
Winneconne, WI · 11 mi
549425b
Greenville, WI · 12 mi

Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 54969

What planting zone is ZIP code 54969?

ZIP code 54969 (Readfield, WI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Readfield, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 54969 is May 4; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New London station.

When is the first frost in Readfield, WI?

The median first fall frost near 54969 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 54969?

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 54969 get?

About 34.9 inches of precipitation a year and 46 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New London station).

How hot do summers get in Readfield, WI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 54969 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Whalan at the center of ZIP 54969: loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Readfield, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 54969 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Readfield, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 54969 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).