Frost dates for 49050Dowling, MI
The average last spring frost in Dowling 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 186 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 Dowling
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 49050 is matched to the NOAA station Battle Creek 5Nw, MI, 14.9 km away, at 923 ft elevation (68 ft lower 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 |
| Hastings, MI | 821 ft | May 3 | Oct 12 |
| Gull Lake Biological Stn, MI | 925 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Battle Creek Kellogg Ap, MI | 928 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Dowling
- Cloverdale, MI 49035 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Bedford, MI 49020 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Delton, MI 49046 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Nashville, MI 49073 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Hickory Corners, MI 49060 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Hastings, MI 49058 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Bellevue, MI 49021 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Battle Creek, MI 49037 · last May 6, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dowling, MI?
- For ZIP code 49050, 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 Dowling, 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 49050?
- 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.