When to plant in Waupun, WI
USDA Zone 5aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Waupun, Wisconsin — all computed from Waupun's nearest NOAA weather station.
These dates come from a station roughly 21 km away, the closest with full normals; terrain around Waupun (elevation, water, pavement) can move your real frost dates a few days either way. Zone 5a means Waupun sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
TOWN OF WESTFORD · 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 Waupun’s own odds, recorded at TOWN OF WESTFORD.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 25 | May 11 | Apr 29 | Sep 19 | Oct 1 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F | May 16 | May 1 | Apr 16 | Sep 27 | Oct 11 | Oct 25 |
| 28°F | May 3 | Apr 19 | Apr 6 | Oct 7 | Oct 22 | Nov 4 |
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 Waupun, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 23 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.
Waupun planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Waupun, WI?
Waupun's average last spring frost falls near May 1 — 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 Waupun, WI?
In Waupun, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 11 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Waupun in?
Waupun 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 Waupun?
There are roughly 163 frost-free days in Waupun (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 1 to the first fall frost near October 11.
When should I plant tomatoes in Waupun?
In Waupun, start tomato seeds indoors around March 6–March 20, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 8 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Waupun
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Waupun’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Beaver Dam · 19 km
- Fond du Lac · 29 km
- Hartford · 45 km
- Oshkosh · 46 km
- Watertown · 49 km
- West Bend · 51 km
- Portage · 59 km
- Richfield · 60 km
Frost dates recorded at TOWN OF WESTFORD, 21 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 Waupun, WI — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00478540. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/wisconsin/waupun.