Frost dates for 48054East China, MI
The average last spring frost in East China is April 19 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 18 · May 1 · May 18 | Oct 6 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 172 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Nov 1 · Nov 12 · Nov 28 | 219 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for East China
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 | Mar 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48054 is matched to the NOAA station Port Huron, MI, 24.2 km away, at 590 ft elevation (20 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Huron, MI (used) | 590 ft | Apr 19 | Nov 3 |
| Algonac Wwtp, MI | 580 ft | May 3 | Oct 18 |
| Richmond 4 Nnw, MI | 765 ft | May 1 | Oct 20 |
| Mt Clemens Ang Base, MI | 580 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near East China
- Saint Clair, MI 48079 · last Apr 19, first Nov 3
- Marine City, MI 48039 · last May 3, first Oct 18
- Casco, MI 48064 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Anchorville, MI 48004 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Fair Haven, MI 48023 · last Apr 30, first Oct 24
- Smiths Creek, MI 48074 · last Apr 19, first Nov 3
- Algonac, MI 48001 · last May 3, first Oct 18
- Marysville, MI 48040 · last Apr 19, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in East China, MI?
- For ZIP code 48054, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Port Huron, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in East China, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48054?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.