Frost dates for 49665Marion, MI
The average last spring frost in Marion is May 22 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 125 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 22
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 125 days
Safer after Jun 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 11 (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 21 · Jun 4 · Jun 23 | Aug 25 · Sep 13 · Sep 28 | 100 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 8 · May 22 · Jun 6 | Sep 11 · Sep 26 · Oct 9 | 125 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 25 · May 10 · May 25 | Sep 23 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 150 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Marion
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 6 |
| 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 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 6 |
| 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) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – May 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49665 is matched to the NOAA station Lake City Exp Farm, MI, 29.5 km away, at 1,230 ft elevation (98 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake City Exp Farm, MI (used) | 1,230 ft | May 22 | Sep 26 |
| Cadillac 9&10 News, MI | 1,363 ft | May 15 | Oct 1 |
| Cadillac, MI | 1,295 ft | May 19 | Oct 1 |
| Houghton Lake 6 Wsw, MI | 1,135 ft | May 30 | Sep 15 |
Frost dates near Marion
- Sears, MI 49679 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Lake George, MI 48633 · last May 30, first Sep 15
- Evart, MI 49631 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Mc Bain, MI 49657 · last May 22, first Sep 26
- Leroy, MI 49655 · last May 19, first Oct 1
- Lake, MI 48632 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Falmouth, MI 49632 · last May 30, first Sep 15
- Tustin, MI 49688 · last May 19, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Marion, MI?
- For ZIP code 49665, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lake City Exp Farm, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 6.
- When is the first frost in Marion, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49665?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 125 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.