Frost dates for 48616Chesaning, MI
The average last spring frost in Chesaning is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 28 · May 11 · May 28 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 16 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 17 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 30 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chesaning
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48616 is matched to the NOAA station Owosso Wwtp, MI, 19.3 km away, at 730 ft elevation (94 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owosso Wwtp, MI (used) | 730 ft | May 1 | Oct 15 |
| Corunna 2 Ne, MI | 762 ft | May 5 | Oct 14 |
| Saginaw #3, MI | 600 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 21 |
| Durand Wwtp, MI | 770 ft | May 3 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Chesaning
- Oakley, MI 48649 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- New Lothrop, MI 48460 · last May 3, first Oct 13
- Saint Charles, MI 48655 · last Apr 29, first Oct 21
- Henderson, MI 48841 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Burt, MI 48417 · last Apr 29, first Oct 21
- Brant, MI 48614 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Corunna, MI 48817 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Montrose, MI 48457 · last May 3, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chesaning, MI?
- For ZIP code 48616, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Owosso Wwtp, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Chesaning, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48616?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.