Frost dates for 48883Shepherd, MI
The average last spring frost in Shepherd is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 134 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 134 days
Safer after Jun 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 14 · May 31 · Jun 13 | Sep 3 · Sep 18 · Sep 30 | 110 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 15 · Jun 2 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 11 | 134 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 21 · May 2 · May 19 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 24 | 157 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shepherd
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48883 is matched to the NOAA station Oil City 2S, MI, 1.8 km away, at 680 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil City 2S, MI (used) | 680 ft | May 15 | Sep 29 |
| Central Michigan Univ, MI | 795 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 20 |
| Alma, MI | 729 ft | May 1 | Oct 13 |
| Midland, MI | 640 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Shepherd
- Saint Louis, MI 48880 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Mount Pleasant, MI 48858 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Midland, MI 48641 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Breckenridge, MI 48615 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Coleman, MI 48618 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Rosebush, MI 48878 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Alma, MI 48801 · last May 1, first Oct 13
- Elwell, MI 48832 · last May 1, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shepherd, MI?
- For ZIP code 48883, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oil City 2S, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 2.
- When is the first frost in Shepherd, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48883?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 134 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.