Frost dates for 49061Jones, MI
The average last spring frost in Jones is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 17, 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 17
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (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 25 · May 10 · May 25 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 17 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 5 | Oct 15 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Jones
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 27 |
| 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 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 27 |
| 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 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49061 is matched to the NOAA station Three Rivers, MI, 16.3 km away, at 810 ft elevation (145 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Rivers, MI (used) | 810 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 17 |
| Dowagiac 1 W, MI | 740 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
| Eau Claire 4 Ne, MI | 840 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 30 |
| Niles, MI | 650 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Jones
- Vandalia, MI 49095 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Marcellus, MI 49067 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Cassopolis, MI 49031 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- Union, MI 49130 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Constantine, MI 49042 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Three Rivers, MI 49093 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- White Pigeon, MI 49099 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Edwardsburg, MI 49112 · last May 4, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Jones, MI?
- For ZIP code 49061, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Three Rivers, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Jones, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49061?
- 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.