Frost dates for 48708Bay City, MI
The average last spring frost in Bay City is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 6 · May 22 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 27 · May 11 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 17 · Apr 30 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bay City
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48708 is matched to the NOAA station Essexville, MI, 4.6 km away, at 588 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essexville, MI (used) | 588 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 20 |
| Auburn 2Ne, MI | 605 ft | May 3 | Oct 14 |
| Saginaw Mbs Intl Ap, MI | 660 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 17 |
| Saginaw #3, MI | 600 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Bay City
- Essexville, MI 48732 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
- Bay City, MI 48706 · last May 3, first Oct 14
- University Center, MI 48710 · last May 3, first Oct 14
- Munger, MI 48747 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
- Saginaw, MI 48604 · last Apr 29, first Oct 21
- Kawkawlin, MI 48631 · last May 3, first Oct 14
- Carrollton, MI 48724 · last Apr 29, first Oct 21
- Auburn, MI 48611 · last May 3, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bay City, MI?
- For ZIP code 48708, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Essexville, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Bay City, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48708?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.