Frost dates for 48871Perrinton, MI
The average last spring frost in Perrinton is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 23 · May 7 · May 23 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 158 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 28 · May 12 | Oct 7 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Perrinton
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48871 is matched to the NOAA station Saint Johns, MI, 19.3 km away, at 743 ft elevation (15 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Johns, MI (used) | 743 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 24 |
| Alma, MI | 729 ft | May 1 | Oct 13 |
| Ionia 2Ssw, MI | 805 ft | May 3 | Oct 12 |
| Owosso Wwtp, MI | 730 ft | May 1 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Perrinton
- Pompeii, MI 48874 · last Apr 28, first Oct 24
- Middleton, MI 48856 · last Apr 28, first Oct 24
- Maple Rapids, MI 48853 · last Apr 28, first Oct 24
- North Star, MI 48862 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Ithaca, MI 48847 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Eureka, MI 48833 · last Apr 28, first Oct 24
- Ashley, MI 48806 · last Apr 28, first Oct 24
- Carson City, MI 48811 · last May 1, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Perrinton, MI?
- For ZIP code 48871, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Saint Johns, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Perrinton, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48871?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.