When to plant in Baraboo, WI
USDA Zone 5aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Baraboo, Wisconsin — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 5a means Baraboo sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Baraboo is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
BARABOO · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Baraboo’s own odds, recorded at BARABOO.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 1 | May 18 | May 2 | Sep 11 | Sep 26 | Oct 7 |
| 32°F | May 21 | May 5 | Apr 21 | Sep 22 | Oct 5 | Oct 19 |
| 28°F | May 9 | Apr 24 | Apr 10 | Oct 1 | Oct 17 | Nov 1 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Baraboo, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 19 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Baraboo planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Baraboo, WI?
Baraboo's average last spring frost falls near May 5 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Baraboo, WI?
The first fall frost in Baraboo typically arrives around October 5 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Baraboo in?
Baraboo is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. In zone 5a, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Baraboo?
There are roughly 153 frost-free days in Baraboo (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 5 to the first fall frost near October 5.
When should I plant tomatoes in Baraboo?
In Baraboo, start tomato seeds indoors around March 10–March 24, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 12 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Baraboo
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Baraboo’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at BARABOO, 1 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Baraboo, WI — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00470516. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/wisconsin/baraboo.