Frost dates for 49745Hessel, MI
The average last spring frost in Hessel is May 31 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 116 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 31
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 116 days
Safer after Jun 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 217 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 31 · Jun 14 · Jul 5 | Aug 22 · Sep 11 · Sep 28 | 87 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 14 · May 31 · Jun 14 | Sep 6 · Sep 25 · Oct 8 | 116 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 29 · May 18 · May 31 | Sep 20 · Oct 7 · Oct 24 | 144 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hessel
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 30 – Jul 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49745 is matched to the NOAA station Pickford 3Ne, MI, 20 km away, at 629 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickford 3Ne, MI (used) | 629 ft | May 31 | Sep 25 |
| Rudyard 5Se, MI | 667 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 21 |
| St Ignace, MI | 661 ft | May 16 | Oct 13 |
| St Ignace Mackinac Br, MI | 595 ft | May 7 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Hessel
- Cedarville, MI 49719 · last May 31, first Sep 25
- Pickford, MI 49774 · last May 31, first Sep 25
- Kincheloe, MI 49785 · last May 31, first Sep 25
- Saint Ignace, MI 49781 · last May 23, first Sep 30
- Goetzville, MI 49736 · last May 31, first Sep 25
- Mackinac Island, MI 49757 · last May 7, first Oct 23
- Kinross, MI 49752 · last May 24, first Oct 1
- Pointe Aux Pins, MI 49775 · last May 11, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hessel, MI?
- For ZIP code 49745, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pickford 3Ne, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 14.
- When is the first frost in Hessel, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49745?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 116 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.