Frost dates for 49201Jackson, MI
The average last spring frost in Jackson is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 27 · May 13 · May 29 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · May 1 · May 18 | Sep 30 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Jackson
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49201 is matched to the NOAA station Jackson Reynolds Fld, MI, 6.7 km away, at 998 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Reynolds Fld, MI (used) | 998 ft | May 1 | Oct 14 |
| Chelsea, MI | 900 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 12 |
| Manchester, MI | 965 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
| Tipton 2Wnw, MI | 970 ft | May 5 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Jackson
- Jackson, MI 49204 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Michigan Center, MI 49254 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Spring Arbor, MI 49283 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Clarklake, MI 49234 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Napoleon, MI 49261 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Pleasant Lake, MI 49272 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Grass Lake, MI 49240 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Rives Junction, MI 49277 · last May 1, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Jackson, MI?
- For ZIP code 49201, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jackson Reynolds Fld, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Jackson, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. 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 49201?
- 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.