Frost dates for 49410Fountain, MI
The average last spring frost in Fountain is May 14 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 151 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 151 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 193 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 9 · May 27 · Jun 13 | Sep 13 · Sep 30 · Oct 15 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 14 · May 31 | Sep 27 · Oct 12 · Nov 1 | 151 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 21 | Oct 11 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fountain
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 13 – Jun 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49410 is matched to the NOAA station Manistee 3Se, MI, 20.4 km away, at 670 ft elevation (26 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manistee 3Se, MI (used) | 670 ft | May 14 | Oct 12 |
| Ludington 4 Se, MI | 690 ft | May 17 | Oct 7 |
| Wellston 1N, MI | 773 ft | May 28 | Sep 25 |
| Hart 3 Wsw, MI | 770 ft | May 12 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Fountain
- Free Soil, MI 49411 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Scottville, MI 49454 · last May 17, first Oct 7
- Custer, MI 49405 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Walhalla, MI 49458 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Branch, MI 49402 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Ludington, MI 49431 · last May 17, first Oct 7
- Filer City, MI 49634 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Irons, MI 49644 · last May 28, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fountain, MI?
- For ZIP code 49410, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Manistee 3Se, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Fountain, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49410?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 151 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.