Frost dates for 48476Vernon, MI
The average last spring frost in Vernon is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 29 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 11 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 3 · May 19 | Sep 29 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 22 · May 8 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vernon
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48476 is matched to the NOAA station Durand Wwtp, MI, 3.8 km away, at 770 ft elevation (4 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durand Wwtp, MI (used) | 770 ft | May 3 | Oct 11 |
| Corunna 2 Ne, MI | 762 ft | May 5 | Oct 14 |
| Owosso Wwtp, MI | 730 ft | May 1 | Oct 15 |
| Flint Bishop Intl Ap, MI | 770 ft | May 6 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Vernon
- Durand, MI 48429 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Lennon, MI 48449 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Bancroft, MI 48414 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Corunna, MI 48817 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Owosso, MI 48867 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Gaines, MI 48436 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Byron, MI 48418 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Morrice, MI 48857 · last May 3, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vernon, MI?
- For ZIP code 48476, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Durand Wwtp, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Vernon, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. 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 48476?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.