Frost dates for 48162Monroe, MI
The average last spring frost in Monroe is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 177 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 177 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 23 · May 7 · May 23 | Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 12 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 177 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 199 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Monroe
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48162 is matched to the NOAA station Newport 4Sse, MI, 13.8 km away, at 578 ft elevation (32 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport 4Sse, MI (used) | 578 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 22 |
| Monroe, MI | 586 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
| Carleton 2W, MI | 627 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 20 |
| Dundee, MI | 660 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Monroe
- Monroe, MI 48161 · last Apr 27, first Oct 21
- La Salle, MI 48145 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Maybee, MI 48159 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Luna Pier, MI 48157 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Newport, MI 48166 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Ida, MI 48140 · last Apr 27, first Oct 21
- Carleton, MI 48117 · last Apr 27, first Oct 22
- Erie, MI 48133 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Monroe, MI?
- For ZIP code 48162, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Newport 4Sse, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Monroe, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48162?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 177 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.