Frost dates for 49735Gaylord, MI
The average last spring frost in Gaylord is May 22 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 130 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 22
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 130 days
Safer after Jun 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 10 (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 20 · Jun 4 · Jun 25 | Aug 19 · Sep 14 · Oct 1 | 100 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 22 · Jun 6 | Sep 10 · Sep 30 · Oct 15 | 130 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 6 · May 25 | Sep 26 · Oct 13 · Oct 30 | 157 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gaylord
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 10 |
| 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 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 10 |
| 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 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – May 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49735 is matched to the NOAA station Gaylord Otsego Co Ap, MI, 2.3 km away, at 1,335 ft elevation (13 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaylord Otsego Co Ap, MI (used) | 1,335 ft | May 22 | Sep 30 |
| Gaylord, MI | 1,318 ft | May 25 | Sep 26 |
| Gaylord 9 Ssw, MI | 1,461 ft | May 15 | Oct 7 |
| Gaylord 9Ssw, MI | 1,468 ft | May 12 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Gaylord
- Gaylord, MI 49734 · last May 22, first Sep 30
- Elmira, MI 49730 · last May 25, first Sep 26
- Vanderbilt, MI 49795 · last Jun 7, first Sep 14
- Waters, MI 49797 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Frederic, MI 49733 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Johannesburg, MI 49751 · last May 22, first Sep 30
- Alba, MI 49611 · last May 25, first Sep 26
- Boyne Falls, MI 49713 · last May 23, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gaylord, MI?
- For ZIP code 49735, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gaylord Otsego Co Ap, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 6.
- When is the first frost in Gaylord, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49735?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 130 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.