Frost dates for 49103Berrien Springs, MI
The average last spring frost in Berrien Springs is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 18 · May 1 · May 20 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 22 · May 7 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 9 · Apr 24 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Berrien Springs
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49103 is matched to the NOAA station Eau Claire 4 Ne, MI, 11.8 km away, at 840 ft elevation (174 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire 4 Ne, MI (used) | 840 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 30 |
| Niles, MI | 650 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 25 |
| Dowagiac 1 W, MI | 740 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
| Benton Harbor Ap, MI | 625 ft | May 5 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Berrien Springs
- Berrien Springs, MI 49104 · last Apr 22, first Oct 30
- Berrien Center, MI 49102 · last Apr 22, first Oct 30
- Eau Claire, MI 49111 · last Apr 22, first Oct 30
- Baroda, MI 49101 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Sodus, MI 49126 · last May 4, first Oct 17
- Buchanan, MI 49107 · last May 1, first Oct 19
- Stevensville, MI 49127 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Saint Joseph, MI 49085 · last May 5, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Berrien Springs, MI?
- For ZIP code 49103, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eau Claire 4 Ne, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Berrien Springs, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49103?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.