Frost dates for 49724Dafter, MI
The average last spring frost in Dafter is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 151 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 151 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 10 · May 26 · Jun 11 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 12 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 9 · May 27 | Sep 26 · Oct 11 · Oct 26 | 151 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 27 · May 10 | Oct 8 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 179 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dafter
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49724 is matched to the NOAA station Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Fld, MI, 17.1 km away, at 722 ft elevation (36 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Fld, MI (used) | 722 ft | May 9 | Oct 11 |
| Rudyard 4N, MI | 753 ft | May 24 | Oct 1 |
| Pickford 3Ne, MI | 629 ft | May 31 | Sep 25 |
| Rudyard 5Se, MI | 667 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 21 |
Frost dates near Dafter
- Kincheloe, MI 49788 · last May 31, first Sep 25
- Kinross, MI 49752 · last May 24, first Oct 1
- Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 · last May 22, first Oct 4
- Barbeau, MI 49710 · last May 31, first Sep 25
- Pickford, MI 49774 · last May 31, first Sep 25
- Brimley, MI 49715 · last May 24, first Oct 1
- Rudyard, MI 49780 · last May 21, first Oct 1
- Goetzville, MI 49736 · last May 31, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dafter, MI?
- For ZIP code 49724, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Fld, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Dafter, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49724?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 151 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.