Frost dates for 49653Lake Leelanau, MI
The average last spring frost in Lake Leelanau is April 30 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 182 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 182 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 28 · May 13 · May 27 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Nov 1 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 182 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 18 · May 4 | Nov 1 · Nov 12 · Nov 27 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lake Leelanau
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 | Mar 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49653 is matched to the NOAA station Nw Michigan Rsch Farm, MI, 12.3 km away, at 820 ft elevation (206 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nw Michigan Rsch Farm, MI (used) | 820 ft | Apr 30 | Nov 1 |
| Maple City 1E, MI | 799 ft | May 22 | Oct 9 |
| Northport 2W, MI | 746 ft | May 9 | Oct 26 |
| Old Mission 3Ssw, MI | 656 ft | May 13 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Lake Leelanau
- Suttons Bay, MI 49682 · last Apr 30, first Nov 1
- Omena, MI 49674 · last May 9, first Oct 26
- Cedar, MI 49621 · last May 22, first Oct 9
- Northport, MI 49670 · last May 9, first Oct 26
- Maple City, MI 49664 · last May 22, first Oct 9
- Old Mission, MI 49673 · last May 13, first Oct 19
- Traverse City, MI 49685 · last May 9, first Oct 15
- Leland, MI 49654 · last May 9, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake Leelanau, MI?
- For ZIP code 49653, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Nw Michigan Rsch Farm, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Lake Leelanau, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49653?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 182 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.