Frost dates for 49616Benzonia, MI
The average last spring frost in Benzonia is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 4 · May 22 · Jun 4 | Sep 21 · Oct 5 · Oct 21 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 7 · May 25 | Oct 4 · Oct 20 · Nov 4 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 12 | Oct 19 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 191 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Benzonia
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49616 is matched to the NOAA station Beulah 7Ssw, MI, 7.6 km away, at 773 ft elevation (94 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beulah 7Ssw, MI (used) | 773 ft | May 7 | Oct 20 |
| Frankfort 2Ne, MI | 948 ft | May 2 | Oct 26 |
| Maple City 1E, MI | 799 ft | May 22 | Oct 9 |
| Traverse City Munson, MI | 635 ft | May 9 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Benzonia
- Beulah, MI 49617 · last May 7, first Oct 20
- Elberta, MI 49628 · last May 2, first Oct 26
- Frankfort, MI 49635 · last May 2, first Oct 26
- Arcadia, MI 49613 · last May 2, first Oct 26
- Honor, MI 49640 · last May 7, first Oct 20
- Thompsonville, MI 49683 · last May 7, first Oct 20
- Bear Lake, MI 49614 · last May 7, first Oct 20
- Copemish, MI 49625 · last May 7, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Benzonia, MI?
- For ZIP code 49616, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Beulah 7Ssw, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Benzonia, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. 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 49616?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.