Frost dates for 49434Macatawa, MI
The average last spring frost in Macatawa is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 24 · May 8 · May 24 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 26 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 27 · May 12 | Oct 6 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 23 · Nov 6 · Nov 24 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Macatawa
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49434 is matched to the NOAA station Holland Wtp, MI, 3.2 km away, at 617 ft elevation (33 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holland Wtp, MI (used) | 617 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 25 |
| Holland Tulip City Ap, MI | 689 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 21 |
| Grand Haven Wwtp, MI | 605 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 24 |
| Allegan 5Ne, MI | 750 ft | May 4 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Macatawa
- Holland, MI 49424 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
- Saugatuck, MI 49453 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Douglas, MI 49406 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- West Olive, MI 49460 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
- Zeeland, MI 49464 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Hamilton, MI 49419 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Fennville, MI 49408 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Glenn, MI 49416 · last Apr 17, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Macatawa, MI?
- For ZIP code 49434, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Holland Wtp, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Macatawa, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49434?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.