Frost dates for 49780Rudyard, MI
The average last spring frost in Rudyard is May 21 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 131 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 131 days
Safer after Jun 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 207 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 18 · Jun 3 · Jun 26 | Sep 1 · Sep 20 · Oct 4 | 107 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 21 · Jun 5 | Sep 14 · Oct 1 · Oct 15 | 131 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 6 · May 24 | Sep 27 · Oct 13 · Oct 31 | 159 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rudyard
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 20 – Jun 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jul 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – May 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49780 is matched to the NOAA station Trout Lake 1Sw, MI, 19.8 km away, at 823 ft elevation (88 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout Lake 1Sw, MI (used) | 823 ft | May 21 | Oct 1 |
| Rudyard 4N, MI | 753 ft | May 24 | Oct 1 |
| Rudyard 5Se, MI | 667 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 21 |
| Moran, MI | 695 ft | May 23 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Rudyard
- Brimley, MI 49715 · last May 24, first Oct 1
- Trout Lake, MI 49793 · last May 21, first Oct 1
- Kinross, MI 49752 · last May 24, first Oct 1
- Eckerman, MI 49728 · last May 21, first Oct 1
- Kincheloe, MI 49788 · last May 31, first Sep 25
- Moran, MI 49760 · last May 23, first Sep 30
- Saint Ignace, MI 49781 · last May 23, first Sep 30
- Hulbert, MI 49748 · last —, first —
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rudyard, MI?
- For ZIP code 49780, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Trout Lake 1Sw, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 5.
- When is the first frost in Rudyard, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49780?
- 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.