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When to Plant Asparagus in Lincoln County, WI

Lincoln County, Wisconsin Zone 4b May

Your May game plan for Lincoln County, Wisconsin

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Lincoln County, Wisconsin this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 19
Avg. first frost September 28
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.7 hrs
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • Transplants going out: asparagus

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Asparagus is a long-lived perennial vegetable that produces tender spears each spring for 15-20 years once established. It requires patience but rewards with reliable harvests.

Lincoln County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 132 days.

At an elevation of 1,129 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 37.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Asparagus to ensure they mature before fall.

Lincoln County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
132 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
132 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 16

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Lincoln County

How your county's soil matches Asparagus's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.2) overlaps with Asparagus's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Lincoln County is excellent for Asparagus — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Asparagus will thrive.

How to Plant Asparagus

1"
Planting Depth
30"
Between Plants
42"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Asparagus

Asparagus needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Asparagus Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.5" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 2.9" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Lincoln County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Asparagus Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Asparagus needs ~9,809 GDD — county provides 1,419 GDD May not mature

Asparagus Planting Timeline — Lincoln County, WI

Asparagus Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 – Jun 16

Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Transplant Outdoors
July
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

132 days in Lincoln County

Growing Tips for Asparagus in Lincoln County

Direct sow Asparagus outdoors after May 19 in Lincoln County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 132.0-day growing season in Lincoln County is tight for Asparagus (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant crowns in deep trenches with compost. Do not harvest spears for the first two years to allow root establishment. Mulch heavily to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Garlic
  • Onion

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Asparagus in Lincoln County, WI?

Lincoln County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Asparagus planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, WI?

Lincoln County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 28.

🌱

Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Lincoln County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lincoln County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.