Frost dates for 48039Marine City, MI
The average last spring frost in Marine City is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 30 · May 18 · Jun 5 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 23 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 8 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Marine City
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48039 is matched to the NOAA station Algonac Wwtp, MI, 7.8 km away, at 580 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algonac Wwtp, MI (used) | 580 ft | May 3 | Oct 18 |
| Mt Clemens Ang Base, MI | 580 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 24 |
| Richmond 4 Nnw, MI | 765 ft | May 1 | Oct 20 |
| Port Huron, MI | 590 ft | Apr 19 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Marine City
- Algonac, MI 48001 · last May 3, first Oct 18
- Fair Haven, MI 48023 · last Apr 30, first Oct 24
- East China, MI 48054 · last Apr 19, first Nov 3
- Harsens Island, MI 48028 · last Apr 30, first Oct 24
- Casco, MI 48064 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Saint Clair, MI 48079 · last Apr 19, first Nov 3
- Anchorville, MI 48004 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- New Baltimore, MI 48047 · last Apr 30, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Marine City, MI?
- For ZIP code 48039, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Algonac Wwtp, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Marine City, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48039?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.