Frost dates for 48723Caro, MI
The average last spring frost in Caro is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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) | May 4 · May 20 · Jun 4 | Sep 15 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 26 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 15 | Oct 4 · Oct 23 · Nov 7 | 179 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Caro
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48723 is matched to the NOAA station Caro Wwtp, MI, 0.7 km away, at 690 ft elevation (27 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caro Wwtp, MI (used) | 690 ft | May 7 | Oct 9 |
| Cass City 1 Ssw, MI | 698 ft | May 7 | Oct 10 |
| Vassar, MI | 630 ft | May 9 | Oct 7 |
| Frankenmuth 1Se, MI | 635 ft | May 3 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Caro
- Mayville, MI 48744 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Fairgrove, MI 48733 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Akron, MI 48701 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Deford, MI 48729 · last May 7, first Oct 10
- Kingston, MI 48741 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Unionville, MI 48767 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Cass City, MI 48726 · last May 7, first Oct 10
- Vassar, MI 48768 · last May 9, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Caro, MI?
- For ZIP code 48723, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Caro Wwtp, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- When is the first frost in Caro, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48723?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.