Frost dates for 49431Ludington, MI
The average last spring frost in Ludington is May 17 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 144 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 144 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 12 · May 30 · Jun 13 | Sep 9 · Sep 26 · Oct 12 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 17 · Jun 1 | Sep 20 · Oct 7 · Oct 25 | 144 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · May 1 · May 21 | Oct 2 · Oct 21 · Nov 6 | 171 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ludington
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49431 is matched to the NOAA station Ludington 4 Se, MI, 7.8 km away, at 690 ft elevation (60 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ludington 4 Se, MI (used) | 690 ft | May 17 | Oct 7 |
| Manistee 3Se, MI | 670 ft | May 14 | Oct 12 |
| Hart 3 Wsw, MI | 770 ft | May 12 | Oct 10 |
| Wellston 1N, MI | 773 ft | May 28 | Sep 25 |
Frost dates near Ludington
- Scottville, MI 49454 · last May 17, first Oct 7
- Pentwater, MI 49449 · last May 12, first Oct 10
- Fountain, MI 49410 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Free Soil, MI 49411 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Custer, MI 49405 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Walhalla, MI 49458 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Filer City, MI 49634 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Hart, MI 49420 · last May 12, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ludington, MI?
- For ZIP code 49431, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ludington 4 Se, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Ludington, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49431?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 144 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.