Frost dates for 49440Muskegon, MI
The average last spring frost in Muskegon is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 28 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 18 | Oct 2 · Oct 19 · Nov 3 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 7 | Oct 17 · Nov 2 · Nov 19 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Muskegon
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49440 is matched to the NOAA station Muskegon Co Ap, MI, 6.9 km away, at 625 ft elevation (8 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon Co Ap, MI (used) | 625 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 19 |
| Grand Haven Wwtp, MI | 605 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 24 |
| Montague 4 Nw, MI | 650 ft | May 19 | Oct 4 |
| Fremont 4 Wsw, MI | 800 ft | May 8 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Muskegon
- Muskegon, MI 49443 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- Fruitport, MI 49415 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- Twin Lake, MI 49457 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- Spring Lake, MI 49456 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- Ferrysburg, MI 49409 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- Whitehall, MI 49461 · last May 19, first Oct 4
- Nunica, MI 49448 · last Apr 30, first Oct 19
- Sylvan Beach, MI 49463 · last May 19, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Muskegon, MI?
- For ZIP code 49440, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Muskegon Co Ap, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Muskegon, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49440?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.