Frost dates for 48827Eaton Rapids, MI
The average last spring frost in Eaton Rapids 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 18 (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 29 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 1 · May 18 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Eaton Rapids
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 48827 is matched to the NOAA station Charlotte, MI, 14.3 km away, at 902 ft elevation (16 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, MI (used) | 902 ft | May 1 | Oct 15 |
| Eaton Rapids, MI | 870 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
| East Lansing 4 S, MI | 880 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 17 |
| Lansing Capital City Ap, MI | 841 ft | May 1 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Eaton Rapids
- Onondaga, MI 49264 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Dimondale, MI 48821 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Potterville, MI 48876 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Springport, MI 49284 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Charlotte, MI 48813 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Lansing, MI 48908 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Holt, MI 48842 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
- Mason, MI 48854 · last Apr 28, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Eaton Rapids, MI?
- For ZIP code 48827, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Charlotte, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Eaton Rapids, 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 48827?
- 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.