Frost dates for 49236Clinton, MI
The average last spring frost in Clinton is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (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 30 · May 15 · May 30 | Sep 16 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 18 | Sep 25 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 7 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Clinton
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49236 is matched to the NOAA station Saline 4Sw, MI, 12.2 km away, at 840 ft elevation (46 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saline 4Sw, MI (used) | 840 ft | May 2 | Oct 11 |
| Tecumseh, MI | 780 ft | May 3 | Oct 13 |
| Manchester, MI | 965 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
| Tipton 2Wnw, MI | 970 ft | May 5 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Clinton
- Tecumseh, MI 49286 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Bridgewater, MI 48115 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Tipton, MI 49287 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Britton, MI 49229 · last Apr 27, first Oct 21
- Manchester, MI 48158 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Saline, MI 48176 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Adrian, MI 49221 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Onsted, MI 49265 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Clinton, MI?
- For ZIP code 49236, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Saline 4Sw, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Clinton, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49236?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.