Frost dates for 48847Ithaca, MI
The average last spring frost in Ithaca is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 13, 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 13
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (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 14 · May 29 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 19 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 30 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 10 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ithaca
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 23 |
| 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 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 23 |
| 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 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48847 is matched to the NOAA station Alma, MI, 12 km away, at 729 ft elevation (39 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alma, MI (used) | 729 ft | May 1 | Oct 13 |
| Saint Johns, MI | 743 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 24 |
| Oil City 2S, MI | 680 ft | May 15 | Sep 29 |
| Central Michigan Univ, MI | 795 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Ithaca
- North Star, MI 48862 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Pompeii, MI 48874 · last Apr 28, first Oct 24
- Alma, MI 48801 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Perrinton, MI 48871 · last Apr 28, first Oct 24
- Ashley, MI 48806 · last Apr 28, first Oct 24
- Sumner, MI 48889 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Breckenridge, MI 48615 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Saint Louis, MI 48880 · last May 1, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ithaca, MI?
- For ZIP code 48847, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alma, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Ithaca, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48847?
- 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.