Frost dates for 48450Lexington, MI
The average last spring frost in Lexington is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (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 30 | Sep 29 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 4 · May 20 | Oct 7 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 9 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 19 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lexington
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48450 is matched to the NOAA station Lexington Wtp, MI, 2.2 km away, at 622 ft elevation (1 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Wtp, MI (used) | 622 ft | May 4 | Oct 24 |
| Yale 1 Nnw, MI | 820 ft | May 12 | Oct 5 |
| Sandusky, MI | 774 ft | May 2 | Oct 16 |
| Port Huron, MI | 590 ft | Apr 19 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Lexington
- Croswell, MI 48422 · last May 4, first Oct 24
- Jeddo, MI 48032 · last May 4, first Oct 24
- Applegate, MI 48401 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Fort Gratiot, MI 48059 · last Apr 19, first Nov 3
- Carsonville, MI 48419 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Port Sanilac, MI 48469 · last May 4, first Oct 24
- Avoca, MI 48006 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- North Street, MI 48049 · last Apr 19, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lexington, MI?
- For ZIP code 48450, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lexington Wtp, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Lexington, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. 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 48450?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.