Frost dates for 48348Clarkston, MI
The average last spring frost in Clarkston is May 10 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 148 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 148 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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 7 · May 24 · Jun 6 | Sep 13 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 10 · May 26 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 21 | 148 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 28 · May 15 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Nov 2 | 171 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Clarkston
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48348 is matched to the NOAA station White Lake 4E, MI, 8.9 km away, at 1,053 ft elevation (39 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Lake 4E, MI (used) | 1,053 ft | May 10 | Oct 6 |
| Pontiac Oakland Co Intl Ap, MI | 976 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Pontiac Wwtp, MI | 890 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 22 |
| Goodrich, MI | 910 ft | May 1 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Clarkston
- Clarkston, MI 48346 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Waterford, MI 48329 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Ortonville, MI 48462 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Drayton Plains, MI 48330 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Lake Orion, MI 48362 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Davisburg, MI 48350 · last May 10, first Oct 6
- Auburn Hills, MI 48321 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- West Bloomfield, MI 48325 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Clarkston, MI?
- For ZIP code 48348, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the White Lake 4E, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Clarkston, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48348?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 148 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.