Frost dates for 49453Saugatuck, MI
The average last spring frost in Saugatuck is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 25 · May 8 · May 26 | Sep 21 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 28 · May 16 | Oct 4 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 16 · May 3 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saugatuck
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49453 is matched to the NOAA station Holland Tulip City Ap, MI, 12.5 km away, at 689 ft elevation (72 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holland Tulip City Ap, MI (used) | 689 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 21 |
| Holland Wtp, MI | 617 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 25 |
| S Haven, MI | 590 ft | Apr 17 | Nov 5 |
| Allegan 5Ne, MI | 750 ft | May 4 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Saugatuck
- Douglas, MI 49406 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Fennville, MI 49408 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Macatawa, MI 49434 · last Apr 27, first Oct 25
- Holland, MI 49423 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Glenn, MI 49416 · last Apr 17, first Nov 5
- Hamilton, MI 49419 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Pullman, MI 49450 · last May 7, first Oct 11
- Zeeland, MI 49464 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saugatuck, MI?
- For ZIP code 49453, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Holland Tulip City Ap, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Saugatuck, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49453?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.