Frost dates for 48097Yale, MI
The average last spring frost in Yale is May 12 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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) | May 8 · May 23 · Jun 4 | Sep 11 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 124 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 12 · May 26 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 21 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 17 | Oct 3 · Oct 20 · Nov 3 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Yale
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48097 is matched to the NOAA station Yale 1 Nnw, MI, 3.1 km away, at 820 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yale 1 Nnw, MI (used) | 820 ft | May 12 | Oct 5 |
| Richmond 4 Nnw, MI | 765 ft | May 1 | Oct 20 |
| Lexington Wtp, MI | 622 ft | May 4 | Oct 24 |
| Sandusky, MI | 774 ft | May 2 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Yale
- Melvin, MI 48454 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- Avoca, MI 48006 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Capac, MI 48014 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Emmett, MI 48022 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Peck, MI 48466 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Brown City, MI 48416 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Jeddo, MI 48032 · last May 4, first Oct 24
- Memphis, MI 48041 · last May 1, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Yale, MI?
- For ZIP code 48097, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Yale 1 Nnw, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Yale, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48097?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 147 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.