Frost dates for 49612Alden, MI
The average last spring frost in Alden is May 24 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 128 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 128 days
Safer after Jun 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 203 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 23 · Jun 5 · Jun 28 | Aug 30 · Sep 17 · Oct 1 | 100 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 7 · May 24 · Jun 7 | Sep 14 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 128 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 10 · May 26 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 31 | 157 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alden
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 23 – Jun 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – May 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49612 is matched to the NOAA station Kalkaska, MI, 17.1 km away, at 1,035 ft elevation (103 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalkaska, MI (used) | 1,035 ft | May 24 | Oct 1 |
| Old Mission 3Ssw, MI | 656 ft | May 13 | Oct 19 |
| S Boardman 2W, MI | 1,046 ft | May 24 | Oct 4 |
| E Jordan, MI | 587 ft | May 23 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Alden
- Rapid City, MI 49676 · last May 12, first Oct 16
- Bellaire, MI 49615 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- Mancelona, MI 49659 · last May 24, first Oct 1
- Elk Rapids, MI 49629 · last May 12, first Oct 16
- Kalkaska, MI 49646 · last May 24, first Oct 1
- Kewadin, MI 49648 · last May 9, first Oct 26
- Williamsburg, MI 49690 · last May 12, first Oct 16
- Central Lake, MI 49622 · last May 23, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alden, MI?
- For ZIP code 49612, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kalkaska, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 7.
- When is the first frost in Alden, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49612?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 128 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.