Frost dates for 48461North Branch, MI
The average last spring frost in North Branch is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (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) | Apr 30 · May 17 · May 31 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 4 · May 22 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 24 · May 10 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for North Branch
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 – Jun 24 |
| 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 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 24 |
| 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 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48461 is matched to the NOAA station Lapeer Wwtp, MI, 17.5 km away, at 820 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lapeer Wwtp, MI (used) | 820 ft | May 4 | Oct 14 |
| Lapeer 2W, MI | 837 ft | May 4 | Oct 13 |
| Burton 4N, MI | 757 ft | May 8 | Oct 5 |
| Caro Wwtp, MI | 690 ft | May 7 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near North Branch
- Clifford, MI 48727 · last May 4, first Oct 14
- Silverwood, MI 48760 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Fostoria, MI 48435 · last May 4, first Oct 14
- Columbiaville, MI 48421 · last May 4, first Oct 14
- Otter Lake, MI 48464 · last May 4, first Oct 14
- Attica, MI 48412 · last May 4, first Oct 14
- Brown City, MI 48416 · last May 2, first Oct 16
- Lapeer, MI 48446 · last May 4, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Branch, MI?
- For ZIP code 48461, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lapeer Wwtp, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in North Branch, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48461?
- 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.