Frost dates for 49020Bedford, MI
The average last spring frost in Bedford is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 1 · May 18 · Jun 3 | Sep 16 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 6 · May 23 | Sep 26 · Oct 12 · Oct 29 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 26 · May 13 | Oct 6 · Oct 25 · Nov 8 | 181 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bedford
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49020 is matched to the NOAA station Battle Creek 5Nw, MI, 4 km away, at 923 ft elevation (37 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek 5Nw, MI (used) | 923 ft | May 6 | Oct 12 |
| Battle Creek Kellogg Ap, MI | 928 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 19 |
| Gull Lake Biological Stn, MI | 925 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Hastings, MI | 821 ft | May 3 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Bedford
- Battle Creek, MI 49037 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Augusta, MI 49012 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Dowling, MI 49050 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Hickory Corners, MI 49060 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Bellevue, MI 49021 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Richland, MI 49083 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Galesburg, MI 49053 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Climax, MI 49034 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bedford, MI?
- For ZIP code 49020, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Battle Creek 5Nw, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Bedford, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49020?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.