Frost dates for 48623Freeland, MI
The average last spring frost in Freeland is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 24 · May 7 · May 22 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 26 · May 13 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Oct 31 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 15 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Freeland
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 – Jun 27 |
| 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 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| 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 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48623 is matched to the NOAA station Saginaw Mbs Intl Ap, MI, 8.5 km away, at 660 ft elevation (40 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw Mbs Intl Ap, MI (used) | 660 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 17 |
| Midland, MI | 640 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
| Auburn 2Ne, MI | 605 ft | May 3 | Oct 14 |
| Saginaw #3, MI | 600 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Freeland
- Midland, MI 48674 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Auburn, MI 48611 · last May 3, first Oct 14
- Saginaw, MI 48605 · last Apr 29, first Oct 21
- Hemlock, MI 48626 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- University Center, MI 48710 · last May 3, first Oct 14
- Merrill, MI 48637 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Bay City, MI 48706 · last May 3, first Oct 14
- Carrollton, MI 48724 · last Apr 29, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Freeland, MI?
- For ZIP code 48623, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Saginaw Mbs Intl Ap, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Freeland, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48623?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.