Frost dates for 48143Lakeland, MI
The average last spring frost in Lakeland is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 1 · May 17 · May 31 | Sep 20 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 5 · May 21 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lakeland
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 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48143 is matched to the NOAA station Whitmore Lake 1Nw, MI, 5 km away, at 906 ft elevation (40 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitmore Lake 1Nw, MI (used) | 906 ft | May 5 | Oct 13 |
| Hell, MI | 890 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
| Howell Wwtp, MI | 917 ft | May 4 | Oct 7 |
| Milford Gm Proving Ground, MI | 970 ft | May 6 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Lakeland
- Hamburg, MI 48139 · last May 5, first Oct 13
- Whitmore Lake, MI 48189 · last May 5, first Oct 13
- Pinckney, MI 48169 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Brighton, MI 48116 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Dexter, MI 48130 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- South Lyon, MI 48178 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Howell, MI 48844 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- New Hudson, MI 48165 · last May 6, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lakeland, MI?
- For ZIP code 48143, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Whitmore Lake 1Nw, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Lakeland, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48143?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.