Frost dates for 49739Grayling, MI
The average last spring frost in Grayling is May 23 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 124 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 23
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 124 days
Safer after Jun 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 11 (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 24 | Aug 28 · Sep 14 · Sep 29 | 99 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 23 · Jun 7 | Sep 11 · Sep 27 · Oct 10 | 124 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 25 · May 10 · May 26 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 26 | 151 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Grayling
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 7 |
| 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 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 7 |
| 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) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jul 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – May 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49739 is matched to the NOAA station Grayling, MI, 7.7 km away, at 1,137 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grayling, MI (used) | 1,137 ft | May 23 | Sep 27 |
| Gaylord 9Ssw, MI | 1,468 ft | May 12 | Oct 7 |
| Gaylord 9 Ssw, MI | 1,461 ft | May 15 | Oct 7 |
| Kalkaska 11Se, MI | 1,083 ft | May 27 | Sep 22 |
Frost dates near Grayling
- Grayling, MI 49738 · last May 23, first Sep 27
- Frederic, MI 49733 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Waters, MI 49797 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Roscommon, MI 48653 · last May 19, first Sep 23
- Luzerne, MI 48636 · last May 19, first Oct 2
- Lewiston, MI 49756 · last May 22, first Sep 27
- Higgins Lake, MI 48627 · last May 19, first Sep 23
- Gaylord, MI 49735 · last May 22, first Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Grayling, MI?
- For ZIP code 49739, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grayling, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 7.
- When is the first frost in Grayling, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49739?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 124 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.