Frost dates for 49621Cedar, MI
The average last spring frost in Cedar is May 22 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 140 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 140 days
Safer after Jun 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 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 20 · Jun 2 · Jun 19 | Sep 12 · Sep 29 · Oct 12 | 116 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 22 · Jun 6 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 26 | 140 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 9 · May 26 | Oct 5 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 166 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cedar
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 21 – Jun 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – May 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49621 is matched to the NOAA station Maple City 1E, MI, 1.8 km away, at 799 ft elevation (189 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple City 1E, MI (used) | 799 ft | May 22 | Oct 9 |
| Nw Michigan Rsch Farm, MI | 820 ft | Apr 30 | Nov 1 |
| Traverse City Munson, MI | 635 ft | May 9 | Oct 15 |
| Traverse City Cherry Cptl Ap, MI | 618 ft | May 12 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Cedar
- Maple City, MI 49664 · last May 22, first Oct 9
- Glen Arbor, MI 49636 · last May 22, first Oct 9
- Lake Ann, MI 49650 · last May 22, first Oct 9
- Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 · last Apr 30, first Nov 1
- Empire, MI 49630 · last May 22, first Oct 9
- Suttons Bay, MI 49682 · last Apr 30, first Nov 1
- Traverse City, MI 49686 · last May 9, first Oct 15
- Interlochen, MI 49643 · last May 22, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cedar, MI?
- For ZIP code 49621, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Maple City 1E, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 6.
- When is the first frost in Cedar, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49621?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 140 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.