Frost dates for 49005Kalamazoo, MI
The average last spring frost in Kalamazoo is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (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 24 · May 8 · May 24 | Sep 22 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 28 · May 13 | Oct 2 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · May 3 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kalamazoo
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 – Jun 28 |
| 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 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| 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 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49005 is matched to the NOAA station Kalamazoo Battle Ck Intl Ap, MI, 7 km away, at 868 ft elevation (81 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo Battle Ck Intl Ap, MI (used) | 868 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 18 |
| Gull Lake Biological Stn, MI | 925 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Battle Creek Kellogg Ap, MI | 928 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 19 |
| Battle Creek 5Nw, MI | 923 ft | May 6 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Kalamazoo
- Kalamazoo, MI 49007 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Comstock, MI 49041 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Nazareth, MI 49074 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Oshtemo, MI 49077 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Portage, MI 49024 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Galesburg, MI 49053 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Richland, MI 49083 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Scotts, MI 49088 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kalamazoo, MI?
- For ZIP code 49005, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kalamazoo Battle Ck Intl Ap, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Kalamazoo, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49005?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.