Frost dates for 49015Battle Creek, MI
The average last spring frost in Battle Creek is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 10 · May 25 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 17 | Oct 3 · Oct 19 · Nov 2 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 6 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Battle Creek
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49015 is matched to the NOAA station Battle Creek Kellogg Ap, MI, 3.2 km away, at 928 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek Kellogg Ap, MI (used) | 928 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 19 |
| Battle Creek 5Nw, MI | 923 ft | May 6 | Oct 12 |
| Gull Lake Biological Stn, MI | 925 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Kalamazoo Battle Ck Intl Ap, MI | 868 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Battle Creek
- Battle Creek, MI 49017 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- Bedford, MI 49020 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Climax, MI 49034 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- East Leroy, MI 49051 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- Ceresco, MI 49033 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- Augusta, MI 49012 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Galesburg, MI 49053 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Fulton, MI 49052 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Battle Creek, MI?
- For ZIP code 49015, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Battle Creek Kellogg Ap, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Battle Creek, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49015?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.