Frost dates for 49689Wellston, MI
The average last spring frost in Wellston is May 28 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 119 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 28
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 119 days
Safer after Jun 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 207 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 25 · Jun 9 · Jul 2 | Aug 26 · Sep 14 · Sep 28 | 95 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 13 · May 28 · Jun 13 | Sep 8 · Sep 25 · Oct 10 | 119 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 29 · May 18 · Jun 1 | Sep 22 · Oct 8 · Oct 25 | 144 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wellston
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 27 – Jul 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jul 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49689 is matched to the NOAA station Wellston 1N, MI, 1.8 km away, at 773 ft elevation (9 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellston 1N, MI (used) | 773 ft | May 28 | Sep 25 |
| Manistee 3Se, MI | 670 ft | May 14 | Oct 12 |
| Beulah 7Ssw, MI | 773 ft | May 7 | Oct 20 |
| Cadillac 9&10 News, MI | 1,363 ft | May 15 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Wellston
- Brethren, MI 49619 · last May 28, first Sep 25
- Irons, MI 49644 · last May 28, first Sep 25
- Kaleva, MI 49645 · last May 7, first Oct 20
- Manistee, MI 49660 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Harrietta, MI 49638 · last May 19, first Oct 1
- Onekama, MI 49675 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Filer City, MI 49634 · last May 14, first Oct 12
- Copemish, MI 49625 · last May 7, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wellston, MI?
- For ZIP code 49689, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wellston 1N, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 13.
- When is the first frost in Wellston, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49689?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 119 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.