Time To Plant? Final Freeze Forecast

MADISON, Wis (CIVIC MEDIA) – It’s almost that time to start digging into the dirt across Wisconsin, but the weather needs to be just right.

As the temperatures start to even out, those with green thumbs count down the days until the final freeze. The cold temperatures overnight dipping below 32 degrees can nip the new plants.

Cold nights still lie ahead. On Tuesday, the northern parts of Wisconsin are expected to fall to the freezing mark.

On Wednesday night, the threat of cold swings south in the state. Widespread frost is expected, so bring in those sensitive plants or cover them up.

Figuring out when the final freeze will be is crucial. Here’s an interesting fact: the latest freeze ever on record for the Fox Valley was on June 6, 1958! Don’t worry, we shouldn’t have to wait that long. It’s typically in May for most of the state.

Most of the cities in Wisconsin, from the Fox Valley south, have the final freeze May 11 to May 20 timeframe. While areas like Shawano, Wausau and even Ashland up north, typically falls later around May 21 to May 31. The usual cold spots, like far northeast into Eagle River, Ironwood and even Hayward, usually wait longer, as early June can often be their last time falling below freezing.

When it comes to deciding what to plant, it’s all about the hardiness zones – especially for trees, shrubs and perennials. They need to be tough; tough enough to survive our winters.

There are also the growing degree days to consider, for crops and veggies. This counts only the days with temperatures between 50 and 86 degrees. If an abnormally warm spring caused plants to bloom early, growers use these values to see how much sooner in the season the crop will be ready for harvest.

As for rain, average amounts are forecasted to fall from the Climate Prediction Center. From May through July, that’s normally 4-5 inches each month. Most gardens usually need at least 1 inch of rain per week to saturate the soil and to get healthy root growth.

After just a few months of La Niña conditions, the tropical Pacific is now neutral, and forecasters expect that to continue through the summer.