Frost dates for 49770Petoskey, MI
The average last spring frost in Petoskey is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 166 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 166 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 192 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 3 · May 20 · Jun 3 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 21 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 6 · May 21 | Oct 2 · Oct 20 · Nov 4 | 166 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 18 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Petoskey
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49770 is matched to the NOAA station Petoskey, MI, 5.3 km away, at 599 ft elevation (241 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petoskey, MI (used) | 599 ft | May 6 | Oct 20 |
| Petoskey Ncmc, MI | 748 ft | May 16 | Oct 9 |
| Boyne Falls, MI | 728 ft | May 23 | Oct 3 |
| Pellston Rgnl Ap, MI | 705 ft | May 31 | Sep 18 |
Frost dates near Petoskey
- Conway, MI 49722 · last May 6, first Oct 20
- Oden, MI 49764 · last May 6, first Oct 20
- Walloon Lake, MI 49796 · last May 23, first Oct 3
- Alanson, MI 49706 · last May 31, first Sep 18
- Bay Shore, MI 49711 · last May 6, first Oct 20
- Boyne Falls, MI 49713 · last May 23, first Oct 3
- Burt Lake, MI 49717 · last May 31, first Sep 18
- Boyne City, MI 49712 · last May 23, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Petoskey, MI?
- For ZIP code 49770, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Petoskey, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Petoskey, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49770?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 166 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.