Frost dates for 49084Riverside, MI
The average last spring frost in Riverside is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 30 · May 17 · Jun 2 | Sep 19 · Oct 3 · Oct 18 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 4 · May 22 | Sep 30 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 10 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Riverside
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49084 is matched to the NOAA station Benton Harbor Ap, MI, 7.5 km away, at 643 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton Harbor Ap, MI (used) | 643 ft | May 4 | Oct 17 |
| Benton Harbor Ap, MI | 625 ft | May 5 | Oct 15 |
| Eau Claire 4 Ne, MI | 840 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 30 |
| S Haven, MI | 590 ft | Apr 17 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Riverside
- Hagar Shores, MI 49039 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Coloma, MI 49038 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Benton Harbor, MI 49022 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Watervliet, MI 49098 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Sodus, MI 49126 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Covert, MI 49043 · last Apr 17, first Nov 5
- Saint Joseph, MI 49085 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Hartford, MI 49057 · last May 4, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Riverside, MI?
- For ZIP code 49084, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Benton Harbor Ap, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Riverside, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49084?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.