Frost dates for 49782Beaver Island, MI
The average last spring frost in Beaver Island is May 11 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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 9 · May 25 · Jun 9 | Sep 21 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 133 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 11 · May 26 | Oct 2 · Oct 19 · Nov 3 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Oct 17 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 183 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Beaver Island
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 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49782 is matched to the NOAA station St James 4Ssw Beaver, MI, 2.5 km away, at 672 ft elevation (4 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| St James 4Ssw Beaver, MI (used) | 672 ft | May 11 | Oct 19 |
| Cross Village 1E, MI | 721 ft | May 15 | Oct 16 |
| Charlevoix, MI | 593 ft | May 1 | Oct 28 |
| Engadine Mdot, MI | 685 ft | May 26 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Beaver Island
- Good Hart, MI 49737 · last May 15, first Oct 16
- Cross Village, MI 49723 · last May 15, first Oct 16
- Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · last May 15, first Oct 16
- Gould City, MI 49838 · last May 26, first Sep 30
- Bay Shore, MI 49711 · last May 6, first Oct 20
- Charlevoix, MI 49720 · last May 1, first Oct 28
- Naubinway, MI 49762 · last May 26, first Sep 30
- Gulliver, MI 49840 · last May 9, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Beaver Island, MI?
- For ZIP code 49782, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the St James 4Ssw Beaver, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Beaver Island, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. 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 49782?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.