Frost dates for 49085Saint Joseph, MI
The average last spring frost in Saint Joseph is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 161 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 161 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 2 · May 21 · Jun 8 | Sep 18 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 136 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 5 · May 26 | Sep 28 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 161 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 25 · May 11 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 14 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saint Joseph
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 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49085 is matched to the NOAA station Benton Harbor Ap, MI, 8 km away, at 625 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton Harbor Ap, MI (used) | 625 ft | May 5 | Oct 15 |
| Benton Harbor Ap, MI | 643 ft | May 4 | Oct 17 |
| Eau Claire 4 Ne, MI | 840 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 30 |
| Dowagiac 1 W, MI | 740 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Saint Joseph
- Stevensville, MI 49127 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Benton Harbor, MI 49023 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Sodus, MI 49126 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Baroda, MI 49101 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Riverside, MI 49084 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Bridgman, MI 49106 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Eau Claire, MI 49111 · last Apr 22, first Oct 30
- Berrien Springs, MI 49103 · last Apr 22, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saint Joseph, MI?
- For ZIP code 49085, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, 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 26.
- When is the first frost in Saint Joseph, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49085?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 161 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.