Last frost date in Fond du Lac, WI

Average last frost
April 27

Expect the last frost in Fond du Lac around April 27. Frost after May 11 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 19, which leaves 174 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 2 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 11
Average first frost
Oct 19
Frost-free season
174 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 15
Next 7 nights in Fond du Lac

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 19.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2247°
  2. FriOct 2350°
  3. SatOct 2453°
  4. SunOct 2548°
  5. MonOct 2642°
  6. TueOct 2741°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 27First frost Oct 19174 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND174 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Fond Du Lac 2 SW, 1.4 miles from Fond du Lac.

Planting calendar for Fond du Lac

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Wisconsin.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 4–May 18
PumpkinsMay 11–May 25
SunflowersApr 27–May 18
CucumbersMay 11–May 18
CornMay 4–May 18
Sweet potatoesMay 18–Jun 1
WatermelonMay 11–May 25
Green beansMay 4–May 25
ZucchiniMay 4–May 18
OkraMay 18–Jun 1
PeppersMay 11–May 25
BasilMay 4–May 18
Butternut squashMay 4–May 18
CantaloupeMay 11–May 25
EggplantMay 11–May 25
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 30–Apr 13
OnionsMar 16–Apr 6
CarrotsApr 6–May 11
LettuceApr 13–May 4
BroccoliMar 30–Apr 13
BeetsMar 30–May 11
PeasMar 16–Mar 30
CabbageMar 30–Apr 13
RadishesMar 23–May 4
Brussels sproutsApr 13–Apr 27
SpinachMar 16–Apr 6
CilantroApr 13–May 4
KaleMar 30–Apr 13
Collard greensMar 30–Apr 13
TurnipsMar 30–Apr 13
DillApr 27–May 11
CeleryMay 4–May 11
CauliflowerApr 13–Apr 27
LeeksApr 13–Apr 27
Swiss chardApr 13–May 11
ParsleyApr 13–May 4
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 5–Nov 9
GarlicSep 28–Nov 2
Daffodil bulbsSep 21–Nov 2
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 30–Apr 13
AsparagusMar 30–Apr 13

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 13Apr 27May 11Oct 2Oct 19Nov 1
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 2Apr 15Apr 28Oct 16Oct 31Nov 13

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Fond Du Lac 2 SW (USC00472842) sits 1.4 miles from the center of Fond du Lac at 772 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Fond du Lac, WI?

The average last frost date in Fond du Lac is April 27, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 11.

When is the first frost in Fond du Lac?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 19. One year in ten it arrives before October 2.

How long is the growing season in Fond du Lac?

About 174 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Fond du Lac?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 4 to May 18. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Wisconsin

All 43 cities in Wisconsin