Frost dates for 49720Charlevoix, MI
The average last spring frost in Charlevoix is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 30 · May 12 · May 27 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 29 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 16 | Oct 13 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 19 · May 1 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 24 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Charlevoix
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49720 is matched to the NOAA station Charlevoix, MI, 6.5 km away, at 593 ft elevation (119 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlevoix, MI (used) | 593 ft | May 1 | Oct 28 |
| E Jordan 2Nw, MI | 646 ft | May 16 | Oct 6 |
| E Jordan, MI | 587 ft | May 23 | Oct 2 |
| Petoskey, MI | 599 ft | May 6 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Charlevoix
- Ellsworth, MI 49729 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- East Jordan, MI 49727 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- Bay Shore, MI 49711 · last May 6, first Oct 20
- Boyne City, MI 49712 · last May 23, first Oct 3
- Eastport, MI 49627 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- Central Lake, MI 49622 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- Walloon Lake, MI 49796 · last May 23, first Oct 3
- Petoskey, MI 49770 · last May 6, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Charlevoix, MI?
- For ZIP code 49720, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Charlevoix, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Charlevoix, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49720?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.