Frost dates for 49628Elberta, MI
The average last spring frost in Elberta is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 30 · May 16 · May 31 | Sep 26 · Oct 12 · Oct 28 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 20 | Oct 7 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elberta
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49628 is matched to the NOAA station Frankfort 2Ne, MI, 3.5 km away, at 948 ft elevation (358 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfort 2Ne, MI (used) | 948 ft | May 2 | Oct 26 |
| Beulah 7Ssw, MI | 773 ft | May 7 | Oct 20 |
| Maple City 1E, MI | 799 ft | May 22 | Oct 9 |
| Manistee 3Se, MI | 670 ft | May 14 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Elberta
- Frankfort, MI 49635 · last May 2, first Oct 26
- Benzonia, MI 49616 · last May 7, first Oct 20
- Arcadia, MI 49613 · last May 2, first Oct 26
- Honor, MI 49640 · last May 7, first Oct 20
- Beulah, MI 49617 · last May 7, first Oct 20
- Bear Lake, MI 49614 · last May 7, first Oct 20
- Thompsonville, MI 49683 · last May 7, first Oct 20
- Empire, MI 49630 · last May 22, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elberta, MI?
- For ZIP code 49628, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Frankfort 2Ne, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Elberta, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49628?
- 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.