Frost dates for 48363Oakland, MI
The average last spring frost in Oakland is April 26 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 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 177 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 22 · May 5 · May 22 | Sep 28 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 26 · May 12 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 177 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 20 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oakland
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48363 is matched to the NOAA station Pontiac Wwtp, MI, 16.5 km away, at 890 ft elevation (61 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac Wwtp, MI (used) | 890 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 22 |
| Pontiac Oakland Co Intl Ap, MI | 976 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| White Lake 4E, MI | 1,053 ft | May 10 | Oct 6 |
| Goodrich, MI | 910 ft | May 1 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Oakland
- Rochester, MI 48306 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
- Lakeville, MI 48366 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
- Lake Orion, MI 48361 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Oxford, MI 48370 · last May 10, first Oct 6
- Leonard, MI 48367 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
- Washington, MI 48095 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
- Romeo, MI 48065 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Utica, MI 48316 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oakland, MI?
- For ZIP code 48363, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pontiac Wwtp, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Oakland, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48363?
- 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.