Frost dates for 49709Atlanta, MI
The average last spring frost in Atlanta is May 22 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 127 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 22
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 127 days
Safer after Jun 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (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 3 · Jun 23 | Sep 1 · Sep 14 · Sep 29 | 102 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 5 · May 22 · Jun 5 | Sep 12 · Sep 27 · Oct 11 | 127 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 8 · May 24 | Sep 26 · Oct 11 · Oct 29 | 155 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Atlanta
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 7 |
| 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 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 7 |
| 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 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – May 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49709 is matched to the NOAA station Atlanta, MI, 1.5 km away, at 879 ft elevation (7 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, MI (used) | 879 ft | May 22 | Sep 27 |
| Atlanta 5 Wnw, MI | 1,180 ft | May 11 | Oct 6 |
| Vanderbilt 11Ene, MI | 905 ft | Jun 7 | Sep 14 |
| Mio Hydro Plt, MI | 960 ft | May 19 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Atlanta
- Hillman, MI 49746 · last May 22, first Sep 27
- Johannesburg, MI 49751 · last May 22, first Sep 30
- Lewiston, MI 49756 · last May 22, first Sep 27
- Comins, MI 48619 · last May 19, first Oct 2
- Fairview, MI 48621 · last May 19, first Oct 2
- Lachine, MI 49753 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Mio, MI 48647 · last May 19, first Oct 2
- Curran, MI 48728 · last May 19, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Atlanta, MI?
- For ZIP code 49709, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Atlanta, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 5.
- When is the first frost in Atlanta, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49709?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 127 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.