Frost dates for 49729Ellsworth, MI
The average last spring frost in Ellsworth is May 23 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 131 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 131 days
Safer after Jun 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 202 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 4 · Jun 25 | Aug 29 · Sep 18 · Oct 3 | 104 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 5 · May 23 · Jun 6 | Sep 17 · Oct 2 · Oct 17 | 131 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 30 · Oct 16 · Nov 3 | 158 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ellsworth
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 22 – Jun 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jul 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – May 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49729 is matched to the NOAA station E Jordan, MI, 10.3 km away, at 587 ft elevation (207 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Jordan, MI (used) | 587 ft | May 23 | Oct 2 |
| E Jordan 2Nw, MI | 646 ft | May 16 | Oct 6 |
| Charlevoix, MI | 593 ft | May 1 | Oct 28 |
| Boyne Falls, MI | 728 ft | May 23 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Ellsworth
- Eastport, MI 49627 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- Central Lake, MI 49622 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- East Jordan, MI 49727 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- Charlevoix, MI 49720 · last May 1, first Oct 28
- Kewadin, MI 49648 · last May 9, first Oct 26
- Boyne City, MI 49712 · last May 23, first Oct 3
- Bellaire, MI 49615 · last May 23, first Oct 2
- Bay Shore, MI 49711 · last May 6, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ellsworth, MI?
- For ZIP code 49729, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the E Jordan, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 6.
- When is the first frost in Ellsworth, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49729?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 131 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.