Frost dates for 49611Alba, MI
The average last spring frost in Alba is May 25 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 125 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 25
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 125 days
Safer after Jun 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 204 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 22 · Jun 5 · Jun 29 | Aug 31 · Sep 16 · Sep 28 | 101 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 8 · May 25 · Jun 8 | Sep 13 · Sep 26 · Oct 9 | 125 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 28 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 149 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alba
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 24 – Jun 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – May 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49611 is matched to the NOAA station Gaylord, MI, 21.7 km away, at 1,318 ft elevation (130 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaylord, MI (used) | 1,318 ft | May 25 | Sep 26 |
| Gaylord 9 Ssw, MI | 1,461 ft | May 15 | Oct 7 |
| Gaylord 9Ssw, MI | 1,468 ft | May 12 | Oct 7 |
| Gaylord Otsego Co Ap, MI | 1,335 ft | May 22 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Alba
- Mancelona, MI 49659 · last May 24, first Oct 1
- Elmira, MI 49730 · last May 25, first Sep 26
- Bellaire, MI 49615 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- Alden, MI 49612 · last May 24, first Oct 1
- East Jordan, MI 49727 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- Gaylord, MI 49735 · last May 22, first Sep 30
- Central Lake, MI 49622 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- Boyne City, MI 49712 · last May 23, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alba, MI?
- For ZIP code 49611, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gaylord, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 8.
- When is the first frost in Alba, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49611?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 125 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.