Frost dates for 49673Old Mission, MI
The average last spring frost in Old Mission is May 13 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 192 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 7 · May 26 · Jun 8 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 13 · May 29 | Oct 1 · Oct 19 · Nov 5 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 19 | Oct 18 · Nov 4 · Nov 22 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Old Mission
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49673 is matched to the NOAA station Old Mission 3Ssw, MI, 4.4 km away, at 656 ft elevation (52 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Mission 3Ssw, MI (used) | 656 ft | May 13 | Oct 19 |
| Nw Michigan Rsch Farm, MI | 820 ft | Apr 30 | Nov 1 |
| Northport 2W, MI | 746 ft | May 9 | Oct 26 |
| Traverse City Munson, MI | 635 ft | May 9 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Old Mission
- Elk Rapids, MI 49629 · last May 12, first Oct 16
- Suttons Bay, MI 49682 · last Apr 30, first Nov 1
- Kewadin, MI 49648 · last May 9, first Oct 26
- Omena, MI 49674 · last May 9, first Oct 26
- Traverse City, MI 49685 · last May 9, first Oct 15
- Williamsburg, MI 49690 · last May 12, first Oct 16
- Acme, MI 49610 · last May 12, first Oct 16
- Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 · last Apr 30, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Old Mission, MI?
- For ZIP code 49673, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Old Mission 3Ssw, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Old Mission, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49673?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.